Italy’s Veronafiera has strengthened its presence at HK International Wine & Spirits Fair via a new co-operation agreement with Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
The new HKTDC understanding with Italian wine fair organiser Veronafiere was signed in Milan, Italy, 19 September and extends the collaboration to 2021. The partners stated the aim to bring more quality Italian wineries and olive-oil producers to the HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.
HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau and Veronafiere CEO Giovanni Mantovani signed the agreement for the respective sides.
“We have been working with Veronafiere for over a decade to feature the acclaimed Vinitaly Pavilion at our Wine & Spirits Fair. Even more synergy can be created by reinforcing the collaboration between the HKTDC and Veronafiere as organisers of prominent international wine fairs,” said Mr Chau. “I am sure the extension of the cooperation signed today will strengthen our strategic alliance and set out the scope for our ongoing collaboration to bring more leading Italian wines producers to Hong Kong.”
Mantovani said the three-year partnership renewal is part of Veronafiere’s development strategy. “Today's agreement further consolidates our relationship with the HKTDC, a partnership that supports the international platform that Veronafiere makes available to Italian companies, especially through its brands and assets such as Vinitaly and Sol&Agrifood, to promote the culture of Italian wine and extra virgin olive oil, and above all to facilitate their entry and positioning in Asian markets.”
In 2018, the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair welcomed 1,075 exhibitors from 33 countries and regions while nearly 19,000 trade buyers from 73 countries and regions attended.
After the abolition of wine duties in 2008, Hong Kong has played an important role as a duty-free wine trading hub in Asia.
Italy was Hong Kong's fifth-largest supplier of wine products in 2018, when total Italian wine imports to Hong Kong exceeded €1.37bn (about HK$11.8bn or US$1.52bn).
The HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair 2019 will be held from 7 to 9 November. A month-long citywide promotion under the banner of Hong Kong Wine Journey will be launched in mid-October 2019 with selected menus and food pairings at restaurants across the city, wine tastings and tours.
