The Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair (HKIWSF) will be held from November 4^th- 6^th, 2009. The wine market in Asia is growing with increasing affluence. It is estimated that the wine consumption in Asia will be doubled and increase to US$27 billion by 2017. The Chinese mainland and HK, currently constituting 60% of Asia’s wine consumption, will become the world’s eighth largest market.

Hong Kong is set to become a wine trading and distribution centre of Asia. The wine market in Hong Kong is growing rapidly.  On February 27, 2008, the Hong Kong Government (HKG) abolished its 40% excise duty on wine.  The market has responded favorably to the wine duty exemption. From March to December 2008, the total value of imported wine reached US$335 million, representing an increase of 82% over the same period in 2007.

The Hong Kong Government is committed to developing Hong Kong as a regional hub for wine distribution and trading.  Opportunities for U.S. companies include:

• Wine trading
• Wine related tourism
• Training and education on wine appreciation and culture
• Technology and services related to transportation, storage and display of wine

For more information on the wine market in Hong Kong, please see the attached 2008 wine report: http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200803/146294113.pdf

For more information on the show, please visit: http://hkwinefair.hktdc.com/fair_dtl/detail.htm

Please fill out the online registration form below for more information on the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair.  

You can also contact Daniel Giavina at the U.S. Commercial Service in San Francisco at Tel: 415-705-2281 or via e-mail at: daniel.giavina@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov