Economy

HK strengthens wine co-op with France's Burgundy

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-23 11:22

HONG KONG - Hong Kong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Burgundy region in France to strengthen their cooperation in wine businesses, said the Hong Kong government on Friday.

Burgundy region, located in eastern France, is well-known for its wine making.

In the MOU, Hong Kong and Burgundy agreed to host events to showcase Burgundy wine and food and encourage Burgundy companies to set up wine-related operations in Hong Kong.

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The key areas of cooperation covered in the MOU also included partnership between the two region's training institutions to enhance education and manpower training in wine-related subjects, and promotion of wine-related tourism and wine culture.

Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony in Burgundy, Yvonne Choi, visiting permanent secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong government, said the agreement would further fortify the partnership between Hong Kong and Burgundy in wine- related businesses.

"Hong Kong's wine promotion activities provide a good anchor for Burgundy to showcase its fine wines to Asian consumers, particularly those from Chinese mainland," she said.

France is Hong Kong's largest wine supplier, accounting for some 56 percent of its total wine imports by value in 2009.