The Hong Kong Mega Showcase and Food Festival was inaugurated on Saturday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

Officiating guest, Secretary for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Economic Development and Labor Stephen Ip said at the opening ceremony that the economic condition of Hong Kong has been improved recently and over 50,000 visitors from Chinese mainland came and visited Hong Kong has greatly vitalized Hong Kong's tourism.

He expressed the hope the companies and retailers attending the mega showcase can provide visitors with high quality service.

Representative of the mega showcase organizer Hong Kong-Asia Exhibition (Holdings) Ltd. said the aim of the activity is to echo Hong Kong government policy of encouraging tourists and citizens to consume in the territory in order to help vitalize Hong Kong's economy.

The mega showcase is divided into different areas exhibiting food and wine, household products, handicrafts, books, cosmetics, and digital products to meet the needs of different visitors.

Apart from product exhibition, the mega showcase has also arranged a number of activities such as music and dance performances, teapot making demonstration and booth games to create a lively atmosphere for visitors.

The "Hong Kong Mega Showcase and Food Festival" is one of the activities recommended by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2003)