KUCHING: Exhibitors, speakers and participants from over 15 countries have started to arrive for the prestigious 13th Asia Pacific Orchid Conference 2019 (APOC 13).
These visitors, hailing from Japan, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Brunei, Macao, Taiwan, Australia and Malaysia, are participating in the Orchid Landscape Competitions at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from July 20 to 22, as well as the lecture programme on July 25 and 26.
APOC 13 is organised by the Sarawak government, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) and APOC Trust with the support of Business Events Sarawak.
“A total of 26 organisations from 14 countries, mainly orchid associations and societies as well as established nurseries, will be competing in the two categories consisting of large landscape (eight by four metres) and small landscape (four by four metres),” said APOC 13 show chairman Au Yong Kien Chung in a press statement yesterday.
He added, “The competitions will showcase the largest variety of orchids ever seen in Sarawak, with orchid plants brought in from all these countries.”
In addition to the landscape competitions, there will also be individual orchid plants, flower arrangement and container garden competitions for orchid enthusiasts.
The grand champions for these competitions will be announced during the official launch of APOC 13 on July 24, which will be graced by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib.
The lecture programme to be held on July 25 and 26 will feature speakers from 15 countries who will be sharing orchid cultivations info, propagation, conservation, and research and development. The two-day programme is expected to be attended by participants from 19 countries.
Other activities and highlights of APOC 13 include the Orchid Show, Marketplace and many fascinating side activities. Entrance to these other activities is free of charge.
APOC 13 will be open to members of the public from July 24 to 28. On July 24, opening hours are 12pm to 6pm, while the hours are extended from 8.30am to 6pm on July 25-28.
The Marketplace will feature a total of 55 booths with international vendors from Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and Ecuador, who will be selling their orchids and other orchid-related products, as well as local vendors selling orchids, garden tools, agricultural products and food.
The side activities available at APOC 13 are the terrarium plants competition, orchid musical buskers show, orchid arts and craft, orchid walk, orchid discovering competition and orchid fashion competition.
For updates on APOC 13, visit www.apoc13.com, follow “APOC 13 Sarawak” on Facebook and Instagram, or contact +6011 3306 5622.
