Australia to be Partner Country at 2010 Wine Fair

Buyer Numbers at Fair up 36 Per Cent Over Last Year’s Edition

 Australia will be the partner country for the 2010 HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair. The agreement was signed today between the Australian Government’s trade and investment promotion agency, the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

“It seems fitting that when it comes to announcing our partner country for next year’s HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair, we are passing the baton from the Old World to the New World,” said HKTDC Executive Director Fred Lam. “From France, our great partner for this year’s event, we are pleased to welcome Australia as the partner country for the 2010 fair.”

“This is another sign of Australia’s belief in Hong Kong’s growing reputation as a prime international wine market,” said Australian Consul-General in Hong Kong Les Luck, who witnessed the signing ceremony.

Australia ’s 65 exhibitors represent the largest national contingent at this year’s fair. The country is Hong Kong’s fourth-largest supplier of wine. From January to September this year, imports of Australian wine to Hong Kong totalled US$28 million, a 22 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Most Beloved
Australian wineries did well at the fair’s first Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition, which attracted some 1,300 entries. Australian wine also proved popular in the voting game for the “The Most Beloved Wine & Spirits,” the winners of which were announced today. The Down South Wine Company Ltd Five Mile Brook Shiraz 2005 took the Red Wine Group category honours, while the same company’s Boomerang Corner White Shiraz 2008 won the White Wine Group. Leung Yick Co Ltd’s Giffard Lychee, produced in France, was named winner of the Other Liquor Group award.

Sparkling Numbers
More than 520 exhibitors from 34 countries and regions, double last year’s exhibitor totals, took part in the fair, which opened 4 November and closed today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Nearly 12,000 buyers attended the fair, a 36 per cent increase over last year’s inaugural edition.

Fair Website
http://hktdc.com/hkwinefair

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Corporate Communication Department:
Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With 40 offices worldwide, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. Visit www.hktdc.com for more information.