Speech by FS at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair 2023 (English only) (with photos/video)
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Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), Dr Peter Lam), Margaret (Executive Director of the TDC, Ms Margaret Fong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. I am delighted to be here today with you - a world of wine buyers, exhibitors and connoisseurs, plus plenty of red, white, rosé and orange enthusiasts like yours truly. We're here, all of us, keen to cork, pour, sniff, sip and celebrate the opening of this year's Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, where business meets pleasure.
Alongside the usual numbers, I've been counting glasses - wine glasses. First, at the opening week of the Wine and Dine Festival; and now, today, for the 15th edition of the TDC's International Wine & Spirits Fair.
This year's global gathering has attracted more than 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions. They're buying, selling and trading old-world and new-world wine, as well as wine and spirits from the Mainland and Japan, and whisky and beer from everywhere.
Together, they offer clear - and sometimes sparkling - testimony to Hong Kong's standing as Asia's wine-trading and distribution hub.
Vineyards aside, Hong Kong has what it takes, including zero wine duties, an extensive logistics and distribution network, rich wine-trading experience, and, of course, people with a passion for fine wine and fabulous fare. Indeed, all sorts of wine and food, too.
Our close proximity and connections to the Mainland's vast, and growing, consumer market is another magnum-size advantage. Last year, the Mainland and Macao accounted for more than two-thirds of our wine exports. In value terms, Hong Kong wine exports soared more than 45 per cent last year.
On Sunday, this fair opens to the public. A welcome opportunity for wine lovers and newbies, too, to discover and delight in a bright abundance of wine - from around the world.
My sincere thanks to the HKTDC for organising this year's Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.
I wish you all rewarding three days at the fair, a memorable long weekend in Hong Kong and the best of business, and pleasure, in the coming year. Thank you.
Ends/Friday, November 3, 2023
Issued at HKT 20:07
Issued at HKT 20:07
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