CAIRO, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's largest annual flora exhibition has helped some 223 Egyptian companies market their produce of flowers and decoration plants amid an economic slowdown caused by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Held in Orman Botanic Garden in Giza Province near the Egyptian capital Cairo, the Spring flowers exhibition has been witnessing a huge visitor turnout due to the diversity of supplies as well as the affordable prices of the displayed items.
The exhibition, which kicked off on March 13 and will run until April 13, is held under the auspices of Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture.
"This exhibition is considered a meeting place for those interested in flowers and ornamental plants, as it provides buyers with various kinds of flowers and plants at low prices," said Alaa Azouz, head of the Agricultural Guidance Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Azouz added that the exhibition is an opportunity for the exhibiting companies to conclude good deals with other companies and owners of gardens.
"The ministry is providing all support and assistance to the exhibitors in order to help them overcome the circumstances they have been going through since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic," Azouz told Xinhua.
Mohamed Abdel-Moneim, head of the Central Department of Afforestation of the Ministry of Agriculture, said that Egypt produces many types of flowers, including those that live for a long time, such as jasmine and roses.
"Egypt is implementing a strategy to increase its production of ornamental plants and flowers in order to increase its exports," he told Xinhua.
The Aal Owais Company for Agricultural Production has been participating in the exhibition for 14 years. This year, the company displays various types of flowers and ornamental plants, including geranium, petunia, magnolia.
"The exhibition is important for companies, and it is developing from year to year to keep pace with the rapid development in the sector of flowers, ornamental plants and agricultural products," Mahmoud Owais, president of the company, told Xinhua.
He managed to signed some contracts to design and build some home gardens while his company also exports some of his products to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Libya.
Speaking about the anti-coronavirus precautionary measures at the exhibition, Owais said the government has done great efforts to avoid infections, pointing out that organizers keep sanitizing the exhibition sections every few hours, while visitors cannot get in without wearing medical masks.
Meanwhile, Tharwat Badawi, an owner of cactus farm, said people buy well this year, especially after the government cancelled last year's exhibition due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.
"I have been participating in the exhibition for the 22nd year in a row. My farm produces about 12,000 varieties of cactus plants," Badawi told Xinhua.
Nada Bassiouni, a 20-year-old college student, said it was the first time to visit the exhibition, expressing happiness to see thousands of types of flowers and plants.
"I bought the aloe vera plant and I will also buy some flowers before I leave the exhibition," she excitedly told Xinhua. Enditem
