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Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco has encouraged US wine traders to take advantage of Hong Kong's zero wine duty and use Hong Kong as a wine trading and distribution centre.
Invited by the Lodi Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco Ms Doris Cheung toured the wine region in Lodi, California on August 6 (San Francisco time). Lodi is known as the "Zinfadel Capital of the World" and grows more grapes than the two key wine regions in California - Napa Valley and Sonoma - combined. There are 75 wineries in Lodi and they export their wines mostly to the United Kingdom and Canada in addition to the domestic market.
Ms Cheung met representatives of Abundance Vineyards, Van Ruiten Family Winery and Barsetti Vineyards. They will be joined by Benson Ferry, Irish Vineyards, Miramont Estate, Watts Winery and Weibel Vineyards - the eight local wineries participating in the first Hong Kong International Wine Fair in Hong Kong on August 14-16.
The International Wine Fair has attracted more than 230 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions. "Support from overseas wine marketing boards and consulates is strong. Many large wine importers and distributors will take part in this fair," Ms Cheung said.
"In terms of wine trading and distribution businesses, Hong Kong is geographically well placed. We have advanced transport and logistics infrastructure and rich experience in international promotion. With the exemption of wine duties, Hong Kong is poised to be a major player on the global wine scene," she said.
President and CEO of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce Mr Pat Patrick agreed that Hong Kong was positioning itself to become one of the most important wine hubs in the world. He urged local wineries to take advantage of Hong Kong's zero wine tariff to trade and distribute wines through Hong Kong. To further expand their export markets to China and Asia, Hong Kong is a natural gateway.
Also attending the tour was Consul General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco Mr Gao Zhansheng.
Ends/Thursday, August 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:24
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