DHAKA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- With bright yellow marigolds, tuberose, gladiola, and orchids, Dhaka's Bangabandhu International Conference Center, also known as the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, is adorned with many flowers, filling the air with fragrances.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), a leading business association, organized an international flower fair with a view to create a platform for local growers and investors to build connections with the larger Asian market.
President of Bangladesh Flower Society Abdur Rahim said 20,000 people are directly engaged in flower production in Bangladesh, while about 3 million people are directly and indirectly involved in the 12 billion taka (142.86 million U.S. dollars) sector.
Such fairs help the business reach out to many people both at home and abroad in a short time.
Abdur Rahman, a participant in the fair, said Bangladesh winter flowers are fresh and colorful.
Such flowers are of export quality, he said, adding that they are looking for foreign partners, from China especially, to acquire specialist skills in preserving cut flowers to have more access to some 45 billion U.S dollars worth of the global flower market.
In addition to floral displays, there were thematic seminars for growers and investors to exchange the latest information on new varieties and cultivation techniques and technologies from the exhibitors participating from many countries.
Moreover, the event showcased an art competition for the children, photography competition, musical fusion and folk music performances, schooling on rooftop gardening, a flower rally, 3D mapping, and a puppet show.
DCCI President Abul Kasem Khan said flowers are an important component of agriculture and is a multi-billion dollar industry in many countries.
"Our flower exports, especially cut flowers, will grow more than 10 percent and reach 86,000 U.S. dollars in 2018," he said.
Bangladesh needs to explore the full potential of its flower sector with deeper knowledge and training, said Khan.
He also said comprehensive policy support is needed from the government for the development of this sector.
"Bangladesh is a land of flowers," Kazi M Aminul Islam, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, said at the fair's inaugural ceremony Thursday.
He said Bangladesh's flower sector has experienced exponential growth recently.
"If we get proper technology support, policy guidelines, research, access to finance, adequate infrastructure, modern packaging systems and cold chain management, we will be able to fully brand Bangladesh as a land of flowers, "he said.
