HOUSE OF THE WEEK
Unfinished project in South Okkalapa tsp
THIS two-storey house in South Okkalapa township represents unfinished business. more
Flower association formed to fight imports
(Volume 26, No. 512)
Flowers like these at the Myanmar Floriculturist Association’s show and contest on February 20 at the corner of Mindama and Taw Win Road in Mayangone can reap healthy prices overseas. Pic: Hein Latt Aung
THE battle of the flowers is on. Spurred by imports of blooms from Thailand and China, Myanmar growers want to increase market share for home-grown flowers, and export them overseas as well.
Myanmar Fruit and Vegetable Producer and Exporters Association (MFVPA) is organising flower producers and exporters to increase their efficiency, an official from the association said.
“The flower market is big. Now flowers from Thailand and China are being exported into the Myanmar market. We want to fill that gap,” said U Soe Than Min Din, general secretary of the MFVPA.
In April 2009, flower groups in the Pyin Oo Lwin and Lashio zones were formed. On Saint Valentine’s Day, February 14, the Pyay zone was formed.
“Myanmar has different climates and varied topography. We have snow-capped mountains and low-lying fields.
“Our climate ranges from tropical to temperate, and the range of flowers we can grow is very wide,” said U Soe Nyunt, vice chairman of the flower group told The Myanmar Times.
“We want our flowers to become a new export item. For that we need technology and a trading system, and we will try to get them,” he added.
U Soe Nyunt said that to promote flower production in Myanmar there is a lot to do.
“We need better transportation and communications systems. Packaging is also important in flower exporting, and so is the cooperation and support of the government,” he said.
The association plans to send flower growers to other ASEAN member countries to study production methods in neighbouring countries.
“We have plans to send observers to Thailand. We are also thinking about sending scholars with the help of non-governmental organisations,” U Soe Nyunt said. –
