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Hong Kong was set to establish itself as a wine trading and distribution centre in Asia, as part of an effort to build stronger international relations to lessen the impact of the global economic crisis, the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, said today (February 20).
Addressing local political and economic leaders on the last day of his visit in Korea, Mr Tsang said Hong Kong had immediately become the only free wine port among major economies after the elimination of wine duties last year.
“In 2007, we imported just a few dozen cases of Korean wine valued at less than US$1,500. Since eliminating wine duties last year, the value of wine imports from Korea has increased seven-fold to US$11,700.
“In 2008, the total value of our wine imports from around the world reached US$370 million, representing a year-on-year increase of almost 80%. This is an example of how a little imagination and determination can go a long way during an economic downswing,” Mr Tsang said.
Apart from the effort to forge stronger links with the international communities, Mr Tsang told the Korean audience that Hong Kong was to develop closer integration with the Mainland, promote a green and clean living environment and expand the talent pool to achieve economic recovery as well as long-term sustainable development in the long run.
Mr Tsang visited the Korean Film Council where he was briefed on the latest development of the Korean film industry. The council is a semi-government organisation entrusted to promote Korean film both in Korea and abroad.
This morning he also conducted interviews with local media. He will return to Hong Kong today after a five-day visit to Japan and Korea.
Ends/Friday, February 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:41
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