Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (left) extends a warm welcome to Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong.

The prospect of marketing Virginia wines in Hong Kong was the main focus of discussions with Virginia state officials during Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong’s visit to Richmond on March 18.

In his meeting with Annette Ringwood Boyd, director of the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office, Mr. Tong highlighted Hong Kong’s development as a regional hub for wine-related business.

Since the elimination of wine duty in Hong Kong in February 2008, the city has seen a significant increase in the value of wine imports from the United States, from US$9 million in 2007 to US$42 million in 2009. Hong Kong is also seeing increasing activity from wine auction houses, as well as wine storage and trading companies.

Mr. Tong pointed out that Hong Kong is the second-biggest center for wine auctions, after New York. In 2009, Hong Kong held 14 wine auctions, with US$64 million in sales.

The Commissioner also met with Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture Todd Haymore and Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng, who discussed Hong Kong-Virginia trade. Gov. Bob McDonnell dropped by the meeting to greet Mr. Tong.

Last year, the state exported US$166 million worth of goods to Hong Kong. Key exports included chemical products, processed food and computer & electronic products.

The Commissioner stopped by the University of Richmond, where he addressed students and faculty at the Robins School of Business on Hong Kong’s transformation from a manufacturing base into a services-oriented economy. He also discussed the government’s strategy during the global economic crisis.

During his visit to Richmond, Mr. Tong also called on Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones and met with the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce.