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President Lai speaks at Taiwan International Orchid Show

President Lai Ching-te expressed confidence that Taiwan’s advanced orchid cultivation would raise the country’s profile on the global stage. Lai made the remarks while attending the opening of the 2025 Asia Pacific Orchid Conference and Taiwan International Orchid Show March 7 in southern Taiwan’s Tainan City. The conference is underway until March 10, while the flower show runs through March 23. According to Lai, orchids are Taiwan’s flagship agricultural export. Last year the crop’s total output value reached NT$6.4 billion (US$194.72 million), of which exports to over 60 countries accounted for NT$6.1 billion. Over the past 20 years, Taiwan’s flower industry has adopted high-tech solutions and internationalized thanks to joint academic, public and private efforts, Lai noted. He extended special appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture, Tainan City Government and other agencies. The president also lauded Tainan City-based Taiwan Orchid Technology Park as a globally renowned industry cluster at the forefront of breeding, supply and biotechnological research and development. Lai anticipated that the APOC, which will stage a total of 50 meetings, would bring about further innovation and emphasized that the central government will continue collaborating with local governments to integrate artificial intelligence and promote smart agriculture, precision breeding, circular production and energy efficiency in the industry. As for TIOS, last year’s edition attracted 300,000 visitors, the president said. Themed “NEXT 20,” the 2025 show comprises five exhibition areas and aims to draw 350,000 attendees. (POC-E) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw