The news that Vinexpo Asia-Pacific is to return to Hong Kong in May this year has been warmly welcomed by the Hong Kong Government and by the international wine and spirits industry, with major companies from all over the world rushing to book space.

Mr. Joseph Wong, GBS, JP, Hong Kong’s newly appointed Government Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, stated that Vinexpo’s move recognizes the SAR’s pivotal importance to the drinks business in Asia-Pacific.

The Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2006 exhibition will be held from May 23rd to 25th and is expected to take up around 5000 sq. m. at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), of which 3000 sq. m. will be occupied by a “French Area” including a 1000 sq. m. pavilion set up by Sopexa, the organization which promotes French food and wine overseas.

Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Barton & Guestier, Sichel, Boisset, Bouchard Père et Fils, Louis Jadot, Grands Chais de France, Moet Hennessy and Remy Cointreau are just a few of the French companies and societies to have confirmed that they will exhibit in the global French area.

International response has also been enthusiastic. Germany, Argentina and Chile will be strongly represented, and sites have already been reserved for pavilions for California and Romania as well as for Spanish and Italian companies and regions. 

Representatives of Australia will include Cape Mentelle Vineyards and Green Point Vineyards, while Macleod Distillers, Angus Dundee Distillers, and Hayman Distillers will be amongst those coming from the UK.

In addition to being the world’s most important emerging market China is now becoming a significant producer of wine, and Chinese producers will be strongly represented at Vinexpo Asia- Pacific 2006. The first Chinese company to book space for the event was Dragon Seal, Beijing.

“Last year’s Vinexpo in Bordeaux was very successful for our company as we received many visitors and European distributors eager to taste our wines. We’ll be exhibiting in Hong Kong this year as we believe it will be another great opportunity to make contact with major distributors and sell more of our wine throughout the region,” said Ms Louise Jin, Dragon Seal’s Director of Public Relations.

Riche Monde Hong Kong was one of a number of major companies participating in the show, which welcomed the choice of Hong Kong as a venue.

"It is great that Vinexpo Asia-Pacific is returning to Hong Kong,” stated Mr. Boris de Vroomen, Managing Director. “Clearly this is the most important international wine & spirits trade fair.”

Speaking on behalf of the Hong Kong Government Mr. Joseph Wong stressed that Vinexpo Asia-Pacific’s return to Hong Kong is in line with the SAR’s growing importance as a major regional hub of the international wine and spirits business.

“The decision of Vinexpo to hold Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2006 in Hong Kong will help buttress Hong Kong's position as the premier wine distribution and trading centre in the region.” said Mr. Wong.

“We have the business and transportation networks to support the business decisions and logistics needs of our wine traders, and the legal and financial infrastructure that is conducive to investment and trade.  We warmly welcome the return of Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, the world's leading wine and spirit trade fair, to Hong Kong,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Cliff Wallace, Managing Director of the HKCEC pointed out that Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2006 will be the largest international wine and spirits exhibition ever held in Hong Kong, and one of the most important events to be held in the complex since its opening in 1988.

"The event will not only generate substantial business opportunities and spin-off benefits to the wine and spirits industry of Hong Kong and to the Hong Kong economy as a whole, but will also endorse Hong Kong's standing as a leading destination in Asia-Pacific for major international trade fairs, " said Mr. Wallace.

Pre-registration for visitors (Visit) and journalists (Press) will be available on-line from 20th February 2006.

Ms. Grace Mak, the representative of Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong, will respond to all questions and requests from trade professionals who are interested in the exhibition, and will act as an interface between local professionals and Vinexpo teams in offices in the ‘relay’ countries of the Asia-Pacific region as well as those based in France.