Premier Yu Shyi-kun promised to promote sales of flowers and plants yesterday after upsetting growers and retailers.
Immediately after assuming leadership of the Cabinet, Yu asked the Cabinet's subordinate agencies not to accept gift baskets with flowers. Yu's decision drew criticism from flower growers, shop owners and retailers.
The Association of Flower Shops of Taipei City (
Flower growers sent a protest letter to the Cabinet following the incident. They received a response from Cabinet Secretary-General Lee Ying-yuan (
Accompanied by Lee, Yu paid a visit to the Council of Agriculture (COA) to express his support for the industry.
Yu told agriculture officials and representatives of growers yesterday that he values flowers and plants, not only for personal reasons but because of the industry's NT$10 billion yearly output.
To express his sincerity in promoting the industry, Yu willingly accepted flowers bouquets presented by Chen Min-shin (
Yu stressed that his directive only asked that officials not present gifts without a reason and that flower baskets be avoided because they end up as waste.
"If we governmental officials do so [refuse to accept baskets and refuse to present unwarranted gifts], more public funds can be saved for promoting markets for flowers and plants," Yu said.
To show his determination to help growers, Yu called on people to buy flowers and plants to improve their quality of life.
COA Vice Chairman Lee Jen-chyun (
Premier Yu recommended the cat-tail willow (
Yu said that 80 percent of Taiwan's cat-tail willows are produced in Ilan County.
Yu added that he was once cast as a flower promoter in a commercial.
"It's a good sign. If you read the flower's name [銀柳] in Taiwanese, you'll discover that it sounds like tael (銀兩) -- or money used in ancient times," Yu said.
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