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| Abdul Karim (centre), Jumaini (on Karim’s right) and participants of Pre APOC 2017 in a photo-call. |
KUCHING: The selection of Sarawak for the pre-Asia Pacific Orchid Conference (Apoc) is timely as Sarawak is rich in flora and fauna and at the same time, is blessed with rare and unique orchid species.
According to Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the conference here serves as a prelude to the 13th Apoc in 2019 and would give an insight of what this city has to offer to the delegates.
“Many of the (orchid) species available in this region are part of our natural heritage and tourist attraction. Thus, research on these species is vital to ensure that they would remain endemic,” said Abdul Karim.
He noted that out of an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 orchid species found in this region, about 40 per cent is endemic to Sarawak.
“The conference will enable delegates to do networking, discussion and projects. We hope that it can build up the excitement leading to the event (Apoc),” said Abdul Karim at the launch of the conference at Pustaka Negeri here yesterday.
The minister further pointed out that academic exchanges and business networking would be a part of what delegates could look forward to but at the same time, he also encouraged the participants to explore the state capital and its rich heritage.
Earlier, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) director Jumaini Haili said the one-day conference was part of the programme line-up for the five-day pre-Apoc 2017, running from Aug 23 to 27.
“It is my wish that through this conference, the orchid industry particularly in Asia would further develop and industry players would benefit from the knowledge-sharing session,” he added. -TheBorneoPost
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