Premier Lai Ching-te on Thursday said that the 2018 Taichung World Flora Exhibition puts an international spotlight on Taiwan and is an excellent chance for the city of Taichung to connect with the world. He encouraged the public to take advantage of the opportunity to share in the spectacle while the expo continues.
The premier's remarks came at the weekly meeting of the Cabinet after a briefing by the Council of Agriculture (COA) on the exposition's layout and benefits to business.
Officially opened on November 3 and running through April 24, 2019, the event has already drawn more than 700,000 visits, said the premier, and is expected to garner more than 8 million over its full course. Estimates put the benefit to the economy above NT$45 billion (US$1.45 billion). With 31 countries participating and 178 cities and organizations signing on to the Taichung Declaration, the event is showing great success. Premier Lai said that the content of the expo highlights Taiwan's diverse environment and brings together the nation's powerful industrial technology with its sophisticated agricultural industry and elegant floral artistry, earning widespread acclaim.
Firmly grounded in agriculture, the expo unites tourism, human values and ecological conservation, Premier Lai said, and is animated by a new concept of GNP, with G referring to green productivity, N to nature and sustainability, and P indicating people sharing for the common good. By drawing together the green and MICE (i.e., meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industries, the event can strengthen the international competitiveness of Taiwan's floral businesses, propel innovative added value in the agricultural sector, and drive regional development.
The COA explained that the exposition is organized into three themed areas: the Houli Horse Ranch and Forest, Waipu Expo Site, and Fengyuan Huludun Park. Participating countries will engage in international competitions, and the event will host over 10,000 cultural displays and performances. Also present are nearly 100 corporations and more than 3,000 concessionary merchants.