Record target set for export orders from Tainan orchid show

Taipei, March 2 (CNA) A record target of NT$7 billion (US$250 million) in export orders has been set for the Taiwan International Orchid Show that will open in Tainan City, southern Taiwan, Friday, the city mayor said Wednesday.

With exhibits of more than one million plants in four pavilions, it is the biggest orchid exhibition in the world, said Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te.

The daily production of the Taiwan Orchid Plantation, which organizes the exhibition, is the highest in the world, he said.

The target this year is to attract 400,000 visitors to the flower show and secure export orders of between NT$6 billion and NT$7 billion, he said.

Last year the figures were 320,000 visitors and export orders of NT$5.5 billion, he noted.

The flower industry is most representative of Tainan City as it combines sophisticated agriculture and biotechnology, which showcases Taiwan's tourism and creative cultural creative assets, Lai said.

With the participation of foreign buyers and representatives of four international media organizations in this year's show, in-depth reports on the development of Taiwan's orchid industry can be expected, according to Wilton Hung, director of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council's Tainan office.

(Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel)