A Vietnamese producer of alcoholic and water beverages has expanded its distribution network to Laos. The Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company (HALICO) opened a representative office in Vientiane last week, seeking to boost exports and introduce the HALICO brand in Lao markets. The opening of its showroom is also an important step in boosting bilateral trade between Laos and Vietnam. According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s border trade division, in the past six months of this year bilateral trade reached US$ 211 million, a 7.7 percent increase from US$ 196 million in the same period of last year. The two governments have set a target to increase bilateral trade to US$ 1 billion by 2010 and US$ 2 billion by 2015. During the opening ceremony, HALICO revealed its plan to build a factory, hoping to expand its production base to Laos in the future. This development would increase production and enlarge its export market in neighbouring countries.
Source: Vientiane Times
