SPEECH OF HE AMBASSADOR AT 24TH WORLD FLOWER COUNCIL IN NICE

Date           :        6 October 2007

Venue       :        Hotel Splendid, Nice

Bon soiree

·        Tuan Haji Abdul Ghaffar Abdul Tambi, Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism Malaysia

·           Mr. Herman Meinders, Chairman Emeritus, World Flower Council

·           Mr. Dean White, Chairman, World Flower Council International

·           Board of Directors of World Flower Council

·           WFC Delegates

·           Mesdames et Messieurs

Bienvenue, Welcome and as we say in the Malaysian language, ?Selamat Datang?. 

Let me begin by conveying my deep appreciation to the World Flower Council for giving Malaysia this wonderful opportunity to host this reception together with a presentation of Malaysian batik. This is particularly significant given that Malaysia is celebrating its 50^th Independence Anniversary this year and we have invited the rest of the World to Malaysia within the framework of Visit Malaysia Year 2007 ? 2008.

Let me also congratulate the organizers led by WFC and the Mairie of Nice as well as the delegates for a successful floral summit in this great and beautiful city of Nice.  Nice and the French Riviera are universally famous as a fantastic holiday destination and a dynamic must-see city. The hosting of this floral summit has further burnished the beauty of  Nice. 

I also wish to acknowledge the presence of Tuan Haji Abdul Ghaffar Abdul Tambi, Deputy Secretary General of Ministry of Tourism which underlines the importance attached by Malaysia to WFC. While thanking all the other Malaysians including Ms. Adlina Borhan, Tourism Malaysia Paris and Mr. Sulaiman Abdul Ghani from the School of Art and Design, University Technology Mara for their presence here today, I want to make special mention of Ms. Eva Soo, Flower Ambassador from Trans Floral Malaysia for bringing Malaysia to the World Flower Council.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Malaysia is fortunate to be endowed with moist tropical rain forests rich in biological diversity.  This includes a range of beautiful and breathtaking flora and fauna. The world?s largest flower, ?Rafflesia? is found in these living forests.  And varieties of orchids and other exotic flowers are very much part of the Malaysian floral scene.

It is our desire to share our floral splendours with the rest of the world.  We have organised many international floral events and parades for several years, including through events such as Flora Festival and Colours of Malaysia. We are happy that thousands of visitors have witnessed these splendid and spectacular internationally acclaimed floral presentations. Indeed these are outstanding occasions where the flower?s natural beauty is enriched and enhanced into a work of art. 

May I therefore use this occasion to remind you not to forget the Colours of Malaysia and Malaysia?s Flora Festival in 2008.  We wish to welcome you, your family and friends to Malaysia, to discover and appreciate ?les fleurs de la Malaisie? in its natural setting.

Malaysia prides in having beautiful gardens ? Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia is dubbed the garden city, while there are miles and miles of perennial  greens and flowers almost everywhere across the country; even up high in the cool crisp mountain settings of Cameron Highlands and Gunung Kinabalu, among others.

Flowers as you all are aware are truly natures? gift which gives us joy and lifts our spirits.  In fact, flowers are vital to our survival.  In Malaysia, flowers are part and parcel of our culture, evident in its widespread use for daily and special occasions.  Flowers contribute to the wellness and spa industry as well.

Let me conclude by stressing Malaysia?s deep and abiding interest in all aspects relating to flowers. We share all the goals of WFC, especially in promoting world peace by sharing the beauty of flowers. In this regard, Malaysia would be honoured to host the next World Flower Council Summit in 2009, with your support.