Hong Kong Food & Wine Year will be the marketing theme in 2009-2010 to highlight the city's diverse culinary experience, Permanent Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development (Commerce, Industry & Tourism) Yvonne Choi says.

Explaining the 2009-10 expenditure estimates today Miss Choi said to leverage on the favourable market development after the waiving of wine duties last February the Trade Development Council will organise its second Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair in November after the success of last year's event.

The Tourism Board will collaborate with famous wine producers to hold the first Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival from late October to early November. It will feature a wine carnival on the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, food and wine promotions in major dining districts, and travel guides will be produced with a dedicated website on famous local delicacies featuring special dining offers.

Business facilitation

The events will provide a good marketing platform for wine companies aspiring to enter the Asian market and reinforce Hong Kong's reputation as a wine and dine centre, she said, adding they will attract more tourism to benefit the economy.

Measures have also been introduced to support Hong Kong's development of wine trading and distribution businesses, including customs facilitation, trade and investment promotion, manpower training and education, use of heritage buildings (such as Haw Par Mansion) for commercial purposes including wine-related businesses, combating counterfeiting and co-operating with trading partners.

With a view to providing added room for the industry to tap the Mainland market the Government is exploring with Mainland authorities the possibility of facilitating the clearance of wines exported from Hong Kong into the Mainland.