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

Registration is available until Aug. 21, 2009. Please fill out the online registration form below for more information on the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair.