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Singapore-based food and beverage company Megabite today (March 11) announced the official opening of its first food mall in Hong Kong. Named "Food Republic", the 23,000 sq ft food court is located in Cityplaza, Taikoo Shing, and is designed to provide a new concept of modern Asian cuisine to customers.
Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of Megabite, Mr George Quek, said: "We are excited about the opening of our first Food Republic Food Mall in Hong Kong. It is our strategy to recruit cuisine market leaders in China and well-known international brands in Southeast Asia to join our food malls. Hong Kong is renowned for the large variety of cuisines and restaurants, as well as the large population of food lovers. It is natural for us to open a branch here to strengthen our position in the regional catering market."
Since the opening of its first food mall in 1997 in Shanghai, Megabite has established and operated 18 food courts in cities including Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Nanning, Tianjin and Shengyang. Mr Quek said the opening of Food Republic in Hong Kong would be a strategic step for the company in its long-term development for the region.
Mr Quek also serves as Group Managing Director of the famous Singaporean bakery BreadTalk, which currently operates bakeries in Hong Kong. He said the company had strong confidence in the city's food and catering market.
Megabite Hong Kong Managing Director, Mr Jenson Ong said: "Hong Kong is the international city in China, where we can find an interesting mixture of traditional Chinese and also international cultures. We would like to reflect this unique international culture through the new Food Republic here, by offering a variety of Asian cuisines in partnership with famous local Hong Kong brands such as Hok Kee Noodle & Congee, Mini Wok and Roasted Delight; regional food brands like Sergeant Chicken Rice from Singapore and Express Teppan-yaki from Taiwan. We will also introduce specialty drinks like Ice Kachang and Chengdol to Hong Kong."
Megabite has invested more than HK$12 million in the first Food Republic food mall in Hong Kong and has created an additional 260 jobs. The company plans to further expand in Hong Kong and in the region.
Invest Hong Kong's Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr John Rutherford, participated in the opening ceremony as an officiating guest. "On behalf of Invest Hong Kong, I would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Food Republic," he said. "I agree with Mr Quek that Hong Kong offers an interesting mix of cultures and cuisines and the addition of new concepts and culinary delights brought by investors like Megabite will further enhance our attractiveness to local consumers, tourists and potential investors."
"This new investment from our long-term client, the BreakTalk group, is evidence of the potential they see in Hong Kong and we hope they will continue to introduce more food and catering brands to our market."
More than 12,000 kinds of dishes have been served and are available in the Food Republic's branches in Asia ﷿ encompassing dishes and snacks from different regions in China, as well as Asian and Western cuisines. Megabite is one of the most popular food court brands in China. It has received several awards, including "The Most Famous F&B Enterprise in Shanghai" and "Shanghai's Most Fashionable Food Court". For more information, please visit the website at www.dashidai.com.
Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish a business presence here. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Saturday, March 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:00
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