VIENTIANE - Around 86 Lao businesses and government agencies will be running display booths at the 11th China-ASEAN Expo to be held in China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, according to Lao official news agency KPL on Tuesday.

The expo will run from September 16 to 19 in Guangxi's capital Nanning. Office head at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Somvang Ninthavong said at a press conference that the event will offer a good opportunity for Lao products to gain recognition in the Chinese and regional markets.

Expectations are high for this year's expo with Laos having received certificates and trophies from the organizing committees for its public and private sectors in past years.

"Hopefully it will be done even better this year in every area of process and management," Somvang said. "The Lao government is paying special attention to this event as high-ranking officials of Laos take part in the event each year."

The expo is seen by many as a business gateway for regional integration between China and ASEAN countries. Laos has been keen to take the opportunity to raise the country's profile while targeting more tourists, investment, and trade with other countries.

The main products to be displayed at the expo will include furniture, handicrafts, silk textiles and drinks, among others. Last year, a total of over 4,600 booths were run at the expo.

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