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Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Donald Tong, and Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco (SFETO), Mr Jeff Leung, visited Sacramento, California, to talk about the booming wine market in Hong Kong and opportunities for California wines today (February 23, San Francisco time).
At the state capitol, Mr Tong and Mr Leung attended a reception hosted by California State Senator Dean Florez. The reception was joined by state senators and assembly members including President pro Tempore of the California State Senate, Mr Darrell Steinberg, Senator Bob Huff, Senator Alan Lowenthal, Senator Lou Correa, Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani and Assemblyman Paul Cook.
"Our Government has eliminated the 40% duties on wine since February 2008. In 2008, the value of our wine imports jumped 80% year-on-year to around US$370 million after the elimination of wine duties. In 2009, imports further increased by 41% year-on-year to US$517 million. This is more than double the total value of wine imported for the whole of 2007 before wine duties were eliminated," Mr Tong said at the reception.
Auction houses have been active and doing well in Hong Kong. A total of 14 auctions were held in 2009 with sales amounting to US$64 million, making Hong Kong the second biggest centre for wine auctions after New York, he said.
Mr Tong also said that the second International Wine and Spirits Fair organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council last November was very successful, attracting 525 exhibitors from over 34 countries and regions. Some 12,000 traders attended the fair. More than 20 exhibitors were from the United States. Mr Tong encouraged more US vineyard owners and wine distributors to participate in the 2010 International Wine and Spirits Fair in Hong Kong.
At the state capitol, Mr Tong was also introduced to the floor of California State Senate by Senator Leland Yee, Assistant President pro Tempore of the State of California Senate.
Mr Tong also spoke at an event co-hosted by SFETO and the California Chamber of Commerce. He also met Ms Linsey Gallagher, Director of International Marketing, and Mr Eric Pope, Regional Director of Emerging Markets of the Wine Institute, as well as Professor Robert Smiley, Director of Wine Industry Programmes at the University of California, Davis.
Ends/Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:07
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