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HK and Australia bolster wine business co-operation |
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 The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, representing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on April 16 signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in Wine-Related Businesses (MOU) with the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Tony Burke.
Addressing the signing ceremony, Mrs Lau said this was the first MOU that Hong Kong had signed with a wine-producing country of the New World. It represented another key step in Hong Kong's development into a regional wine trading and distribution hub. |
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"The MOU is an extensive one, covering some common areas of co-operation that also feature in our MOUs with other countries, including promotion of wine trading, investment, wine-related tourism, wine education and appreciation, and the fight against counterfeit goods. |
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"It also embraces new areas such as promoting commercial co-operation on wine auctions and storage, certification as well as sharing of experience for the possible setting up of a wine centre in Hong Kong," Mrs Lau said. |
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She said Adelaide's wine centre was an example of an Australian facility that served several purposes to support the wine industry including the staging of exhibitions, conferences and functions, as well as a café and as a venue for wine appreciation and education. |
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"The Australian side has kindly agreed to share its experience and information with parties interested in setting up a similar facility in Hong Kong," Mrs Lau said. |
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She said as part of the MOU Hong Kong would maintain streamlined and simple wine certification requirements to foster the growing bilateral trade in wine. |
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"This year will be an exciting one for the wine industry in Hong Kong. In late October to early November, we will stage our first Wine and Dine Festival which will feature wines from around the world, most probably including Australian wines," Mrs Lau said. |
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"In November, the Trade Development Council will hold its second 'home-grown' international wine exhibition. We look forward to a strong showing of Australian wine products. |
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"I believe that the MOU signed today will give a strong impetus to Hong Kong's aspiration to be a regional wine hub and be conducive to its economic development, including creating jobs," she said. |
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Mrs Lau also pointed out that Australian companies had a long history of doing business in Hong Kong. Low taxes, the rule of law, high-quality services and global connectivity were among Hong Kong's business-friendly credentials. |
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The Financial Secretary exempted wine duties in his Budget last year. Wine imports in 2008 grew to $2.9 billion - an increase of 80% compared to 2007. |
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