GenSan hosts national floriculture congress

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – About 500 key players in the country‘s cut-flower and ornamental plant sector are expected to convene here for the annual meeting of the national floriculture industry.

Slated Sept. 6 to 8 at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center, the 6th Philippine Floriculture Congress will gather participants from a chain of allied industries, including floriculture growers, suppliers, exporters, marketing firms, input suppliers, allied service providers as well as representatives of chambers of commerce, national and local governments, NGOs, and donor organizations.

"This year’s event is focusing on Philippine floriculture’s strong business and tourism potential for both domestic and foreign investors," says Dr. Lilia Mirabueno, president of the General Santos City Gardeners’ Cooperative (GSCGC).

An internationally significant industry, cut-flower and floriculture production provides multi-billion dollar revenues to top producers such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Canada, USA, Taiwan, Colombia, Israel, Kenya, Ecuador and Thailand.

In 1998, the Philippines exported $1.7 million worth of cut-flower and ornamental plant products to Japan, US, South Korea, and Hong Kong, down from $2.2 million in 1996. Industry experts say the drop was mainly due to the Asian financial crisis Mirabueno said domestic and international demand for cut flowers and ornamental plants is again on the upswing, with growing potential for Philippine-based producers.

"The congress will enhance the industry‘s marketing network and recommend policy reforms that would make it easier for the industry to do business," she added.

Organized by the Federation of Cutflower and Ornamental Plant Growers of the Philippines and the GSCGS, the congress is being supported by the General Santos City of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the General Santos city government, and the USAID-funded Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.

The congress is also being supported by the provincial governments of South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat; the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, and Tourism; the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development; the Socsksargen Area Development Program Office; the General Santos Tourism Council and Association and other cooperators. It will be held right after this port city’s annual Tuna Festival slated in the first week of September. – GEM Program