Oregon signed an agreement with Hong Kong to promote Oregon wine sales in China

Oregon officials have signed an agreement with the Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau that will help promote Oregon wine sales in China.

Oregon and Washington, which signed the agreement simultaneously, are the first two states to sign such an agreement.

“With this agreement, we now have a concerted effort to tap into the purchasing power of Hong Kong and all of China, which will create more business opportunities for Oregon’s wine industry,” Gov. Ted Kulongoski said in a news release.

Hong Kong abolished import taxes on wine in 2008. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has been working since then to increase Oregon wine sales there.

Hong Kong also reached an agreement with mainland China that will make it easier to import wine to mainland China. Hong Kong is the second-biggest wholesale auction wine market, behind New York, according to Gov. Kulongoski's office.