The four day trade fair has been organized by Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN) with the slogan “Floriculture business for clean environment and economic prosperity”. [break]
Inaugurating the exhibition, Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal said that the floriculture business has been contributing greatly to the national economy and has high prospect of fulfilling even the larger portion of the national and international demand. He expressed government´s commitment for the promotion and expansion of floriculture business in Nepal.
The organizers informed that the fair has emerged as one of the exclusive meeting points for organizers, customers and businessmen. According to FAN, the demand for flowers has been going up over the years and the export this year went up by 60 million as against the Rs 35 million recorded last year.
Arun Chhetri, president of FAN, said that lack of a floriculture policy is hampering growth of the industry that is able to fulfill over 85 percent of local demand. He further added that climate change and lack of research and development activities are other obstacles for the expansion of the business.
Nurseries growing the best flower species and creating the best decoration for display were awarded during the exhibition.
There are over 160 nurseries in the Kathmandu valley and around 600 across the country spread over an area of 110 hectares.
Lately, Nepal has been exporting cut flower to countries such as Japan, India, Kuwait and Qatar, among others. The flower industry, directly and indirectly, provides employment to over 30,000 families. Over 55,000 people visited the last Floriculture Trade Fair participated by 48 exhibitors.
Floriculture counseling center in Dharan