Malaysia's Penang, Japan's Itabashi Botanical Gardens Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of Collaboration

GEORGE TOWN (Penang, Malaysia), Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The Penang Botanic Gardens and Japan's Itabashi Botanical Gardens on Sunday celebrate their 20th anniversary of collaboration. Itabashi Mayor Takeshi Sakamoto said the collaboration with Malaysia's northern state of Penang since 1994 had benefited Itabashi and Penang citizens in exchanging information on global environment problems as well as plants. "We will celebrate the 20th year anniversary of the Itabashi City of Peace this year and it was to exchange with other cities to support world peace. "I feel the exchange with Penang will also be substantially increased 20 years from now," he said in his speech at the 20th anniversary celebration of the collaboration between the two botanical gardens, here Sunday. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was also present said the state government hoped efforts to develop the botanical gardens would bring Itabashi and Penang close to nature as well as enhance the friendship going forward. "Penang Botanic Gardens had helped in developing Itabashi Green House Project by contributing various species of tropical plants in 1995. "On the other hand, Itabashi City Town Council through Itabashi Commercial District Association raised funds to help build the Japanese Garden at the Penang Botanic Gardens," Lim said. Therefore, Lim said the Japanese Garden was a meaningful symbol of friendship between Itabashi City and Penang. Covering 2,832.8 sq meters, the Japanese Garden with a winding pathway paved with stones and landscaped with bamboo and tropical plants, was modelled after the Itabashi Garden. The garden was the result of an exchange programme with Itabashi City. On Sept 21, 1994, Itabashi Botanical Gardens and the Penang Botanic Gardens signed a joint communiqué on friendship to exchange information as well as plants. --BERNAMA