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HK likes Australia wine center
Source: Xinhua |
April 17, 2009, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government may draw on the experience of Australia in setting up a wine center in the free trade center, an official said yesterday.
Australia has a national wine center in the southern city of Adelaide that is used for exhibitions, dining, wine appreciation and education, while Hong Kong will be using a heritage site for commercial use, including wine-related activities, said Rita Lau, secretary for commerce and economic development of the HKSAR government.
"The industry may consider using this venue for wine-related purposes like the Australian wine center," Lau said at a ceremony in Hong Kong marking the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the HKSAR government and the Australian government in the wine business.
"If any industry players are interested in setting up a similar facility in Hong Kong, I am sure our friends from Australia will only be too ready to share their experience and expertise," she said.
Lau said the memorandum of understanding between Hong Kong and Australia was the first that Hong Kong has signed with a New World wine-producing country and marked another key step in the city's development into a regional wine trading and distribution hub.
Wine imports to Hong Kong grew 80 percent last year to HK$2.9 billion (US$371.8 million). Since Hong Kong scrapped wine duties in February last year companies have expanded their storage facilities, two international wine fairs have been held as well as many wine auctions. More wine fairs will be held later this year.
Australian exports of wine to Hong Kong grew 17.2 percent last year to US$25.4 million, while exports to the Chinese mainland jumped 32 percent, according to statistics provided by the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong.
Australia has a national wine center in the southern city of Adelaide that is used for exhibitions, dining, wine appreciation and education, while Hong Kong will be using a heritage site for commercial use, including wine-related activities, said Rita Lau, secretary for commerce and economic development of the HKSAR government.
"The industry may consider using this venue for wine-related purposes like the Australian wine center," Lau said at a ceremony in Hong Kong marking the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the HKSAR government and the Australian government in the wine business.
"If any industry players are interested in setting up a similar facility in Hong Kong, I am sure our friends from Australia will only be too ready to share their experience and expertise," she said.
Lau said the memorandum of understanding between Hong Kong and Australia was the first that Hong Kong has signed with a New World wine-producing country and marked another key step in the city's development into a regional wine trading and distribution hub.
Wine imports to Hong Kong grew 80 percent last year to HK$2.9 billion (US$371.8 million). Since Hong Kong scrapped wine duties in February last year companies have expanded their storage facilities, two international wine fairs have been held as well as many wine auctions. More wine fairs will be held later this year.
Australian exports of wine to Hong Kong grew 17.2 percent last year to US$25.4 million, while exports to the Chinese mainland jumped 32 percent, according to statistics provided by the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong.
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