A SPECIALTY Belgian chocolate manufacturer has just launched its products in Hong Kong - and is promising unique, non-fattening flavours. Italo-Suisse, which has been making presentation-box chocolates for Christmas, Easter and special occasions since 1923, and has recently started making chocolate bars and truffles, aims to target the entire Far East market from a base in the territory. Negotiations for distribution are already underway with Sims Trading, Seven-11, Wellcome and Toys 'R' Us. The company's Hong Kong general manager, Bruno Simpeleare, said: 'We have already launched in Japan and the market is huge - bigger than we ever expected. 'We are hoping for the same response in Hong Kong. Everywhere, we are finding a demand for quality produce at a reasonable price.' Belgian chocolate was world-renowned and the Italo-Suisse brand was known as 'the famous Belgian chocolate', he said. 'It is 100 per cent natural,' Mr Simpeleare said. 'We use only cacao; no vegetable fat. Other companies add colouring, flavouring and fat, but we do not. That is why our chocolate is not so fattening.' Following the Hong Kong launch, Italo-Suisse aims to seek export markets further afield in Taiwan, Korea, Thailand and Malaysia.
