Malaysian Queen Launches Floria 2012

PUTRAJAYA, June 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Queen Tuanku Hajah Haminah launched the fifth Putrajaya Flower & Garden Festival (Putrajaya Floria) 2012 on Saturday. She also spent about 30 minutes visiting the exhibition booths set up by government ministries and agencies including the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry and Putrajaya Corporation. International enthusiasts including from China, Hong Kong, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US) were among the participants. Jointly organised by the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry and Putrajaya Corporation, the festival themed 'Bougainvillea-Enduring Beauty' is held at the Waterfront, Precinct 2 for seven days beginning Saturday. More than 400,000 trees of various species and cultured flowers and plants, and decorative plants from tropical and sub-tropical regions are on display. Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Deputy Minister M. Saravanan said the festival can contribute to the growth of the floral and landscape, as well as tourism industries under the national key economic area (NKEA). It can spur the industry as an investment alternative that would benefit the country and people, he said. He added that the event was a strategic meeting point between sellers and buyers of floral and decorative plants, for importers and exporters to share ideas, information and find the best means to develop the industry. Also present was Putrajaya Corporation president Samsudin Osman. -- BERNAMA