The more open an industry is, the more competitive Taiwan will be, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday presiding over the opening of 2005 International Orchid Exhibition held in Tainan County.
The 16-day exhibition was launched yesterday at the Taiwan Orchid Plantation. At the opening ceremony, Chen said that economic protectionism would weaken local industries. However, an open orchid industry could be a successful niche for the nation in the international market.
According to the president, Taiwan's orchid industry has attracted the attention of Japan many Western countries. Chen said a persuading example was that last year the US approved the import of certain kinds of orchids from Taiwan.
Flowers in the sky
Chen also said that the Council of Agriculture has reached an agreement with China Airlines to display pictures of Taiwan's orchids on its flights.
"Taiwan has the aspiration to step up and impress the world. We have the capability to hold world-class orchid exhibitions," Chen said.
Chen also said that Taiwan's entry into the WTO did not pose a threat to the nation's agricultural industries. Citing government statistics, production in the agricultural sector last year grew by 7 percent, reaching NT$377 billion. Also, last year, the total value of agricultural exports grew by 11.7 percent to US$3.52 billion.
"We've introduced advanced growing methods for not only orchids but also other agricultural products. In the last half century, innovative methods have been adopted to ensure Taiwan's competitiveness in the global market. We will keep doing so," the president said.
The 16-day exhibition will run through April 10. It will feature a host of activities, including an academic conference, workshops, and games will be held at the site. More than 20,000 orchids of difference types from 16 countries will be displayed at the exhibition.
"We estimate that the combination of tourism and sales in the orchid industry will increase annual production 10-fold within five years," said Tainan County Commissioner Su Huan-chih (蘇煥智).
Su also said that, since Taiwan entered the WTO in 2002, orchid growing has become competitive for the nation. Taiwan annually exports US$58 million worth of plants and flowers. Of that amount, US$30 million worth is orchids.
Foreign interest
Su said that Taiwan Orchid Plantation is an ideal place which satisfies foreign purchasers. Most overseas buyers are usually interested in different kinds of orchids grown in Taiwan. Currently, the butterfly orchid is the most popular type for overseas buyers.
Su said that the plantation would further help the nation's orchid industry by integrating resources from the biotechnology industry. Rural Tainan County is a one of Taiwan's foremost places to grow orchids, he added.
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