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Perspectives
featuring
PROFESSOR DR. DOEKE C. FABER
President, International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH)
The Significance of an "A1" International Horticultural Exposition
“A1 status means a host country, such as Thailand, has the support of AIPH as well as the International Bureau on Exhibitions (BIE).
"It’s like having the stamp of approval of two major organizations. In the case of BIE, the organization has 178 members, all of whom are governments. By giving A1-status, they express their confidence that Thailand will be able to organize the international exhibition.
"The AIPH Council has to approve the Thai Government request to hold an A1 exhibition. The AIPH Annual Congress will this year be held in Montreal, (in the last week of September).
"BIE have already indicated that they have confidence in the plans presented by Thailand. So if Thailand gets AIPH approval, BIE will give their approval in December 2005.
"In the case of Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, there were no other considerations involved other than the fact that AIPH believes that Thailand deserves all the support in holding an international exhibition.
"Thailand wishes to upgrade the exhibition to an A1 category because it is a very special exhibition - namely the 60th Anniversary of the reign of His Majesty the King of Thailand. By making Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 an 'A1' international exhibition, not only is the support obtained of BIE and AIPH, but also the full support of the foreign governments for 90 days - for the full length of the exhibition. Other types of exhibitions do not have that."
Thailand’s Horticultural Strengths &
Contribution to the Global Horticultural Industry
"Go anywhere in the US, or in Europe, or anywhere else in the world, where people enjoy the products of Thailand. Flowers – specifically orchids, vegetables and fruits. Thailand has become a major exporter of horticultural products and everybody knows that beautiful orchids come from Thailand.
"The strengths of Thailand is that it is an agricultural-oriented country. Thailand is very good with exports. Thailand has been an exporter of rice, tapioca, fruits and vegetables, so Thailand is a major trading nation and an important trade partner. That’s why AIPH is also happy to be able to organize this exhibition."
The Art of Marketing Flowers
"In the Netherlands and in many other countries, such horticultural exhibitions are not in the first place being held for trade purposes. They are being held to show the visitors - citizens, foreign visitors - the beauty of what nature has to offer. All we do is to show the people the beauty of nature - manipulated a little perhaps - to show what nature has given us. To share that beauty with as many people as possible and of course, we hope that all these people return home with the idea to make their own garden more beautiful.
"In Holland, of course, we have a different climate. We have most of the flowers and plants inside instead of in the garden, so we buy a lot of cut flowers and potted plants.
"By showing people these flowers in Thailand in a different environment, it enriches their lives. I hope we make people a little more happy - not only our growers, but also our visitors.
"Flowers require a subtle approach. Everything with flowers is always very subtle, very nice and a lot of emotion."
“Window Onto The World” for Visitors:
International Participation At International Horticultural Exhibitions
"The Thai government has already been very successful in bringing in 15 international participants. Ratchaphruek has only a very short lead time to get everything organized. It will therefore be a real achievement in the short time that Thailand has set for itself to present to the King and the Thai people a beautiful and colourful horticultural exhibition.
"There are many factors involved to invite foreign governments. An invitation is usually extended by a government to other nations. Then there are trade considerations and trade relations.
"International participants want to be seen and so they participate. In the case of the Netherlands, not only do we trade Thai flowers, but we also want to see these products in their own environment. But of course, there is also a special relationship between the Royal Houses in Thailand and The Netherlands.
"Also, countries want to show what they have to offer so that the people in Thailand not only think there are Thai flowers, plants, shrubs and trees, but that there are also other varieties and species from other countries.
"So we also bring to you a whole variety of plants and trees that you don't see here but that we would like to show you. So there are many reasons why countries would want to join."
Royal Flora Ratchaphruek and AIPH Synergy:
Working Towards Common Goals
"I hope that by AIPH being here and supporting Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, we help in the first place, Thailand, and in particular the horticultural sector to become more prosperous. Additionally, to show and share with the Thai people the beauty of what flowers, plants and trees have to offer.
"We also hope to show that with the ingenuity of architects and landscapers, what beautiful architecture can do - not only for an exhibition, but that you can also take that knowledge into the gardens and into the cities and parks.
"We at AIPH believe that we must make our cities -- which have become so full of people -- more green. By building more parks and planting more shrubs and trees will give the people more places to relax and to sit back and enjoy. We are convinced that by making cities more green, they become less violent, they become more peaceful and they become happier and healthier places to live in.
"Bangkok is one example, but there are many cities in Southeast Asia, where millions of people are living. It is the duty of governments to ensure that these people can also enjoy the green countryside. One of the goals of AIPH is to advise and convince governments that they invest in more 'green' in the city. It is an investment, that gives a high return.
"What we try to do - also through the work of AIPH - is to bring the green countryside into the front lawn by making more green areas and parks and in doing so, making life a little more beautiful for the people living in the city.
"What AIPH does it to ensure that we support the well-being of our members and growers. One of the activities of AIPH is to help countries organize these events and projects.
"International flower shows are also helping the business sector in this way. AIPH is a facilitator in this regard. The initiative and the implementation is the responsibility of the member states.
"BIE and AIPH rules allow for only one A1 international horticultural exposition per year. These events are very costly and require a lot of energy and manpower.
"The Thai government and the Thai organizations involved are to be commended for doing this for their King."
Trends
"In cities today, life is hectic, stressful, hurries. Cities have become unfriendly because of traffic, noise, airpollution, etc. People have a need for fresh air, relaxation, a peaceful and qwuiet environment. What is needed is to bing a little bit of the rural area into the city, bring in color; and green. Ratchapruek should give an impetus to that activity.
"In my opinion our sector will have a great future. Flowers and plants will always be a part of people's lives. Dr. Ruhnke* has written a paper on the beauty of flowers, in which he shows that since about 2,000 years, flowers have always been an integral part of people's lives.
"It is very special to know, that after all these years, in the middle of our 'hi-tech' and electronic highway-lives, still on Valentine's Day, we take this one rose and give it to the one we love. Even in our business, some things remain the same. We still 'say it with flowers'."
Benefits for Thailand in Hosting an AIPH-recognized International Horticultural Exhibitions
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