Lin Jiandong (right), director of Zhejiang's agriculture department, Ningbo's vice mayor Bian Ji'an (middle) and the director of Ningbo agriculture bureau Li Qiang (left), visit the booth of Ningbo specialties at the 29th HKTDC Food Expo in Hong Kong on Aug 16. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Ningbo food companies are using Hong Kong as a stepping stone to win a bigger market share in the international food market.

At the 29th Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Food Expo which was held on Aug 16-20, 16 companies from Ningbo, Zhejiang province teamed up and showcased over 300 kinds of local specialties, including tea, fruit and aquatic products, in the hope of enhancing the international reputation of Ningbo products.

Tangyuan, glutinous rice balls stuffed with sesame or bean paste, juicy peaches from Ningbo's Fenghua district and seafood from the coastal county of Xiangshan were well received by Hong Kong residents and aroused the interest of foreign purchasers.

On the afternoon of Aug 16, the first day of the expo, the Ningbo government joined hands with Zhejiang's agriculture department to introduce the city's agricultural projects and promote its agricultural resources at a symposium.

Additionally, to build upon the close ties made between Ningbo and Hong Kong over recent decades, the agriculture bureau in the city signed a framework agreement with the Ningbo-Hong Kong Fellowship Association to strengthen their cooperation in information exchanges, investment attraction and the cultivation of high-caliber professionals.

The HKTDC Food Expo is considered the largest of its kind in Asia and is one of the most influential exhibitions held in the special administrative region. This year, it attracted the participation of more than 1,500 companies from 26 countries and regions with a total area of 46,200 square meters.

Ningbo's agriculture bureau signs a cooperation framework agreement with the Ningbo-Hong Kong Fellowship Association on Aug 16. [Photo by Mao Jianxing]