(From left) Director of Home Affairs, Alice Cheung; Non-official Member of the Executive Council, Legislative Council Member (Catering), Tommy Cheung; Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po; Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak; Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Shirley Lam; and Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Margaret Fong, officiate at the opening ceremony of the first Happy Hong Kong Gourmet Marketplace at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, April 29, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKSAR GOVT)

HONG KONG – Residents on Saturday flocked to a gourmet food fair in droves as the authorities launched a 10-month special drive to boost Hong Kong’s economy with discounted film tickets and free festival passes.

The Gourmet Marketplace at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai has more than 100 stalls providing international delicacies, Chinese cuisines, and local flavors to participants.

IN PICTURES: Gourmet marketplace

The marketplace also includes performances and children's games to enable members of the public to enjoy delicacies from different places and spectacular performances under a joyful atmosphere.

The special administrative region government has organized the two-day Happy Hong Kong Gourmet Marketplaces to offer good experience to members of the public where they could taste the joy and share the fun.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po officiated at the opening ceremony of the first Happy Hong Kong Gourmet Marketplace together with Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak; Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Shirley Lam; and Director of Home Affairs, Alice Cheung.

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Addressing the opening ceremony, the finance chief said after the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland as well as overseas regions, the market has become more lively and vibrant.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan (left) prepares egg waffle with an exhibitor at the first Happy Hong Kong Gourmet Marketplace, at Gourmet Marketplace at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, April 29, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKSAR GOVT)

Chan expressed his hope that members of the public can find joy in their daily lives as the economy improves.

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The second Gourmet Marketplace will take place on May 6-7 at the Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza and Sha Tin Park, while the third one will be held on June 3-4 at the harbor-front VESSEL, Kwun Tong. 

Both events are free for entry and do not require admission tickets.