The 2019 Taiwan International Orchid EXPO was held between Oct. 24 and 26 at Taiwan Orchid Plantation. Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che, Tainan City Government Agriculture Bureau Director Lee Chao-tang, Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office Director Nguyen Anh Dung, Hungarian Trade Office Representative Daniel Csaba Lorincz, Executive Yuan Agriculture and Food Agency Chief Secretary Chen Chi-rong, and Taiwan External Trade Development Council Tainan Office Director Grace Chou all attended the opening ceremony on Oct. 24.
Mayor Huang Wei-che expressed that Taiwan's orchid industry is very flexible and has a strong competitive edge in breed cultivation and improvement, and market response and adaption. This expo and forum is an international platform for local orchid growers to showcase their capabilities and products to worldwide buyers, and understand global market demands so they can cultivate orchids that cater to the market. Next year Tainan City will host the Taiwan International Orchid Show, and the World Orchid Conference will be held in Taichung City. With two major international events here, Taiwan is ready to showcase our orchids - our pride and glory - to the world.
Furthermore, Mr. Cor Middelkoop from Royal Flora Holland, Ms. Patricia Bechelli from Veiling Holambra, and Mr. Susumu Kiryu from Ota Floriculture Research Institute Ltd. were also invited to the event. They represent the largest flora auction markets in the Netherlands, Brazil, and Japan, respectively. Related businesses, agencies, and experts from Vietnam, Indonesia, and India attended the event as well. Activities and events offered at the expo include a world orchid industry forum, B2B Purchasing Fair, product presentations by leading businesses, breed and key research result displays by Taiwan Orchid Varieties Commercial Center (TOVCC), and a commercial breed showcase. Local growers and businesses can easily access international industry information, meet oversea buyers directly, and learn the latest global developments and trends to plan out optimal future cultivation directions.
The Agriculture Bureau expressed that Tainan City Government has always strongly supported the development of orchid industries. The Taiwan Orchid Varieties Commercial Center, which is set up in the Taiwan Orchid Plantation, will provide services such as breed preservation, biotesting, certification, marine transportation storage and shipping testing, overseas test planting, new breed exhibition, marketing, global IP deployment, and market information collection. With the combination of soft power and services, Taiwan can present itself as a world-class orchid island to the world and establish its position as one of the top players in the global orchid industry.