Boost for floriculture as SL plans to bloom at Japan’s IFEX 2013

Wednesday, 10 April 2013 02:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan will facilitate the participation of local floriculture producers and exporters at Asia’s largest flower trade show that is scheduled to take place from 9 to 11 October 2013 in Tokyo, Japan.

Having supported local participation for the same in 2007, this year the SLEDB hopes to assist at least six companies through financial support. However, a SLEDB official told the Daily FT that its board is yet to finalise the extent and nature of the financial commitment.

Organised by Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd., this year the 10th International Flower Exposition (IFEX) will be hosted alongside the International Garden Expo (GARDEX) 2013, which focuses on all types of garden products.

The trade fair is to be the ideal place for sourcing and networking, as the official website of the exhibition stated that last year’s IFEX 2012 had attracted buyers, producers, and suppliers from over 45 countries.

The Netherlands, USA, UK, Singapore, France, Belgium, Norway, China, and Korea were amongst the list of countries that participated last year.

According to the SLEDB, the exhibition will serve as a platform for Sri Lankan companies to expand their businesses into the Japanese and other Asian markets.

To select the ideal candidates for the trade fair, the SLEDB called for applications from producers and exporters in the foliage plants, cut flowers, pot plants, cut decorative foliage, tissue cultured plants, aquatic plants, nursery stocks and floriculture related coir products.

Application for assisted participation at the IFEX 2013 should be made on the prescribed form available at the Export Agriculture Division of the SLEDB or it can also be downloaded from the SLEDB website.

With the closing date for the application being 23 April 2013, selection of suitable participants will be done through an interview which will be conducted by a panel nominated by the SLEDB.