03.01.2011 - Vinexpo news selection
Hong Kong's wine imports went up 64 percent in the first seven months from a year earlier in 2010- 2011 fiscal year, said the Hong Kong government. The wine imports in Hong Kong have been keeping surging after the city began to exempt duties on wine and liquor with an alcoholic strength of no more than 30 percent in February 2008.
The growth of wine business is attributed to increasing demand across Asia, especially from the Chinese mainland. Government data showed that total wine imports into Hong Kong amounted to about 410 million U.S. dollars.
The growth in wine business has brought direct economic benefits to wine trading, distribution, auctions as well as other related economic activities such as catering services and tourism.
In the last two years, about 850 wine-related companies were founded, bringing the total number to 3,550, with more than 5,000 persons newly engaging in the business, according to a survey conducted by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau. (Xinhua News Agency / 15 December 2010)