Brussels ETO Strengthens Trade Ties with Burgundy Wine Industry in France

Brussels ETO strengthens trade ties with Burgundy wine industry in France

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading.

The visit covered key wine-producing areas in the Burgundy wine region. The Brussels ETO and the HKTDC held a number of meetings with the local government, wine producers as well as wine industry institutions to promote the vast opportunities in Hong Kong as the hub for wine trading, distribution and auction, and to exchange views on the latest developments in the global wine market as well as the local wine production industry.

Speaking during a networking and promotional dinner with senior regional officials and industry representatives, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted Hong Kong's standing as a world-leading hub for wine trading and auction, following the removal of wine duty in 2008 and the reduction of liquor duty in 2024.

"Hong Kong's wine trading and auction activities are giving impetus to the development of other high value-added sectors such as logistics and storage, tourism as well as premium food and beverage consumption. We very much welcome the Burgundy wine trade to leverage Hong Kong's strategic position as the regional trading, distribution and auction hub to expand its market share in China and the wider Asia-Pacific region," Ms Yung added.

During the visit, Ms Yung also extended her warm invitation to the Burgundy wine industry to visit Hong Kong, including for the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival in October every year, as well as the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair in November every year. Moreover, she promoted the Festival of Connoisseurs to the local wine industry, which will have its inaugural edition in November 2026 to showcase the art of premium lifestyles in Hong Kong.

Burgundy is one of the world's most renowned wine regions, with a rich winemaking heritage rooted in its distinctive terroirs and traditions. About half of its wine is exported to international markets. The visit formed part of the Brussels ETO's ongoing efforts to foster exchanges between Hong Kong and Europe in the wine sector and identify opportunities for closer collaboration in wine business and wine tourism.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung (fourth right), meeting with Burgundy wine producers in Vougeot on September 29 (Burgundy time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows representatives from the Brussels ETO and the HKTDC Paris Office visiting wine estates in Burgundy. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows (from left) Assistant Representative of the Brussels ETO Mr Paul Leung; Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO Mr Kasper Ng; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Mayor of Noyers-sur-Serein and Regional Councillor of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Ms Nathalie Labosse; the Director of France, Iberia and Benelux of the HKTDC, Mr Christopher Lai; the Chief Executive Officer of Caves Bailly Lapierre, Mr Sylvain Martinand; and the Regional Manager, Corporate Communication, Europe, Central Asia and Israel of the HKTDC, Ms Man-Linh Swan Chea, after a meeting in Chablis on September 28 (Burgundy time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung (third left), meeting with the Director General of the Château du Clos de Vougeot (second right), Mr Arnaud Orsel, during a visit to the Château du Clos de Vougeot on September 29 (Burgundy time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCS visits Government Property Agency

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Government Property Agency (GPA) this afternoon (October 5) to learn about the department's work in managing government properties and leveraging technology to enhance the quality and efficiency of services. She also met and exchanged views with staff representatives from various grades in the department.

Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Ms Shirley Lam, Mrs Yeung first met with the Government Property Administrator, Mr Raymond Sy, and other directorate staff, and received a briefing on the latest developments of the department's work on the use of government properties and enhancement of public spaces in joint-user government office buildings among other matters.

Mrs Yeung then met with staff of the Property Management Division to learn about the latest situation of the management of government properties, including the preparatory work for the Hong Kong Port Area of the Huanggang Port Building conducted by the multidisciplinary team responsible for property management of the redeveloped Port. Mr Sy said that the department's staff have been working as one, in collaboration with the Security Bureau and other relevant departments, to ensure comprehensive preparation for the smooth opening of the Port.

During the visit, the GPA staff introduced to Mrs Yeung the department's latest research and development in technology applications that aim to leverage AI to assist in the processing of large volumes of property management invoices and applications for repair and maintenance of property facilities, including the extraction and verification of data. This not only reduces the work of manual data input and checking to streamline workflow, but also enhances the accuracy of the vetting process. Staff can allocate their time more flexibly to follow up on complex cases and improve service quality.

Mrs Yeung also watched a demonstration by staff of the Management Services Division of the in-house developed Mobile Site Inspection System (MSIS), a mobile application used in daily property inspections. The MSIS ensures standardisation of inspection items by listing the items to be inspected, while its report generation function not only streamlines writing and unifies report formatting, but also facilitates the systematic organisation of property inspection information. After processing by AI, the data will be uploaded to the government cloud, enabling staff to make use of big data analysis to study ways to further optimise services. Unlike in the past when paper documents such as property plans had to be carried during property inspections, staff now only need a tablet installed with the MSIS to view relevant property information, fill in inspection records, and take and upload inspection photos in a one-stop manner, with the application promptly generating an automated draft inspection report.

Mrs Yeung said, "Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan proposes to leverage AI technology to reform public administration. I encourage policy bureaux and departments to adopt an innovative spirit, integrate workflow, enhance overall efficiency, and build a more professional and efficient civil service."

Before concluding her visit, Mrs Yeung met with staff representatives from various grades in the department to exchange views on matters of concern to them.

SCS visits Government Property Agency Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases