Northwest China's Gansu Province has set up more than 70 flower production bases, with a total area of 1,320 hectares and a production value of 88.18 million yuan (US$10.6 million).
The inland province, which is famous for the ancient Silk Road and the Mogao Grottos, has developed hundreds of flower species over the past few years.
So far, the province has established 150 flower trading companies, 212 flower shops and 25 flower markets. Approximately 6,000 people are employed in the flower industry.
According to a local economic official, the province's flower consumption volume is increasing by 40 percent year-on-year.
The market has great potential, the official said, adding that the total flower consumption volume in Gansu will reach 300 million yuan (US$36.14 million) by 2005.
To further develop the industry, the province has launched a series of favorable policies for related departments, enterprises and research institutes to join hands to promote scientific research, modernized production and trade exchange in the field.
(People’s Daily 11/18/2000)
