Flora Expo Demonstrates Taiwan ’s Horticultural Strength and Promotes Local Flower Industry

The Council of Agriculture (COA) said the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition is a show officially authorized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) to sponsor and it is also the first internationally recognized category A2/B1 horticulture exposition to be held in Taiwan . The government hopes to completely show the world Taiwan ’s overall national power, including the strength of the flower industry advanced technological achievements, cultural and art features and environmental and ecological concerns.

More Than 90% of Flowers on Display Are Bought Locally to Benefit Flower Farmers

The Council emphasized that more than 90% of planted flowers on display inside expo pavilions are bought from local farmers while most flowers and seedlings outdoors are provided by contractors. Taipei City Government requires manufacturers who won the tender to sign supply contracts with local flower farmers. Now the purchase has been completed and COA officials have confirmed in field inspection that the contracted suppliers are local flower farmers. On display inside expo pavilions are mainly cut flowers provided by Taiwan Floriculture Development Association which won the tender. Before the expo ends next year, the expo organizer will purchase flowers to be displayed in EXPO Dome by scheduled transactions. The organizer also purchase plants according to exhibition themes and features, not simply divided among cities and counties based on their respective horticultural output.

NT$663 Million Budget Planned for 2012-2014 to Facilitate Sustainable Utilization of Expo Site and Pavilions

Spreading across an area of 91.8 hectares, the Taipei Flora Expo has 14 exhibition halls. Of the six newly built pavilions, Pavilion of New Fashion sponsored by Far Eastern Group is built with 1.5 million plastic bottles and Far Eastern Group will move it to other places for exhibition after the Taipei Expo ends. The other five newly built exhibition halls will be kept for other uses being planned by operating units which will take over the halls after the expo. They definitely will not be abandoned when the expo ends, noted the Council.

To maintain the long-term benefits of the expo site, the COA will move the NT$663 million budgeted for 2011 to 2012-2014 according to the Legislative Yuan resolution. During the three years after the Taipei Expo, the Council will use NT$221 million every year to purchase new plants and flowers and for related maintenance affairs while Taipei City Government needs to provide matching funds.

COA Calls on All Walks of Life to Support Taipei Expo As ROC Greets Its 100^th Birthday

The Taipei Expo lasts for six months between November 6, 2010 and April 25, 2011. Since the country will celebrate its 100^th founding anniversary in 2011, the expo has been listed as one of the major celebration activities. The exposition will let the world to further understand Taiwan , so it deserves support by all people in the country. The expo will demonstrate Taiwan ’s national economic and cultural strength with diversified competitions and exhibitions and international participation. The expo also provides a platform to educate the public about knowledge, broadening local people’s international perspective. So the COA called on all people to support the Flora Expo and visit it to cheer for Taiwan .