12 Aug 2010
Food, Tea, Chinese Medicine the Focus at Hong Kong Fairs
More Exhibitors and Attractions on Offer at Three Concurrent Events
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Officiating at the opening ceremony of the International Conference & Exhibition of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM) are (left to right) Harry Yeung, President of MCMIA; Fred Li, Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene, Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR; Bian Zhen-jia, Deputy Director of Inspection, Department of State Food and Drug Administration of the People’s Republic of China; Fred Lam, Executive Director of the HKTDC; Gloria Tam, Deputy Director of Health, Hong Kong SAR Government; and Whelan Wong, Chief Executive of MCMIA |
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Bian Zhen-jia, Deputy Director of Inspection, Department of State Food and Drug Administration of the People’s Republic of China, said that the Chinese Government has always paid great attention to the development of the Chinese Medicine industry |
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At the joint opening ceremony today for the Food Expo and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Fred Li, Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council (left) receives a souvenir from HKTDC Executive Director Fred Lam |
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LegCo member Fred Li visits the Food Expo and Tea Fair after the opening ceremony. A Mexican exhibitor introduces one of its popular products to the guests |
The Hong Kong International Tea Fair runs 12-14 August, while the HKTDC Food Expo 2010 and the International Conference & Exhibition of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM) will run until 16 August.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) organised the events, with the Modernised Chinese Medicine International Association and the Chinese Tea Culture International Exchange Association as co-organisers of ICMCM and the tea fair respectively.
Food Expo Expands
The 21st edition of the Food Expo features more than 740 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions, a 21 per cent increase over last year. The fair offers cooking demonstrations by a Michelin chef and workshops on such topics as “healthy eating.”
An expanded Public Hall is among the new attractions, while trade buyers will find the Trade Hall an effective platform for sourcing products and expanding their distribution network.
Many types of cuisine from around the world are represented, with the Chinese mainland boasting the largest pavilion, followed by Korea and Japan. The latter two countries have more than doubled their number of exhibitors compared with last year, and this year Miss Japan will attend to promote the Japan Pavilion.
Pasta Time
The Premium Food Zone, introduced last year, returns with more than 30 quality brand names, along with a new zone dedicated to noodles and pasta. Hall 3 offers a variety of exhibits, including Bakery Products and Rice, Beverages (Alcoholic), Canned, Frozen and Processed Food, Health, Green and Organic Products as well as Kitchenware.
The Trade Hall is open until 14 August, with the final day open to the public. Hall 3F features a “Night Bazaar” from 7pm-10pm through 15 August to showcase 80 exhibitors offering discounts of 50 per cent or more on selected products.
Tea Fair
Following its well-received debut in 2009, the Hong Kong International Tea Fair returns to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a premier tea-trading hub. The first two days are for traders with the final day open to the public.
The 2010 fair welcomes more than 310 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions, up 20 per cent from the inaugural edition. Seven group pavilions are organised from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Highlighted exhibits include Hunan black tea, Ansi tie guan yin, Anhui kee mun tea from the mainland, Darjeeling tea from India and Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka.
Another highlight at this year’s fair is the new “Friends of Tea” section where tea is paired with a variety of foods including Chinese pastries, cookies, nuts and more. Apart from tea trading, the fair features a Tea Industry Conference on market trends and branding, as well as a Chinese Tea Enterprises Forum, a variety of tea forums, tea-tasting sessions and other activities showcasing the art and culture associated with tea.
Other highlights include a “Vote for the Most Popular Tea 2010” and the debut of the International KamCha Competition 2010 (Hong Kong Style Milk Tea). Regional winners from Australia, the Chinese mainland, Canada, Hong Kong and Macau will compete in a championship to find the best brewers of this unique tea.
Chinese Medicine
The ninth edition of the ICMCM has attracted more than 130 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions. The first two days are restricted to trade visitors, and doors open to the public 14-16 August.
The fair is divided into specific zones showcasing product categories, and features a two-day ICMCM “Research & Applications” conference on 12-13 August as well as a CEO Forum and Luncheon on 12 August. A public forum, “Prevention and Empowerment Concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine,” takes place 14-15 August. In the Hall 1A concourse, an educational display coordinated by Chinese University of Hong Kong demonstrates how Chinese medicine can treat mental illness.
Related Links
Hong Kong International Tea Fair: www.hkteafair.com
HKTDC Food Expo: www.hktdc.com/hkfoodexpo
International Conference & Exhibition of the Modernisation of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM): www.hktdc.com/icmcm
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Corporate Communication Department:
Joe Kainz
Tel: (852) 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com.
