Iraq's first national flower exhibition was opened today in the presidential palaces complex in Basra with the participation of governmental and private institutions in the province.
Mohsen Abdul al-Hai, agricultural adviser to Basra's governor said the two-week exhibition includes a number of participating sectors to present the natural flowers produced in Basra.

"The exhibition aims to introduce the types of flowers produced in Basra and their appropriate environment and urge government departments to produce flowers to increase the beauty of the city," said al-Hai.

The exhibition includes areas to display palm products produced in Basra, two giant water fountains in the palaces and a yard for children to play.

The event was sponsored by Basra Provincial Council and is held with the participation of all municipal institutions, municipalities and the Department of Agriculture as well as the Southern Oil Company and civil companies.

Seedlings will later be transferred to the streets of Basra to increase the number of green spaces.

Citizens can enter the exhibition for free and buses will transport them from the gates of the presidential palaces to the exhibition space.

Al-Hai added that the exhibition will be an annual tradition in the province.

Basra province, 550km south of Baghdad, held a flower exhibition in Zubair district last autumn.

The presidential palaces complex, which is located near the center of Basra province, includes four palaces in addition to artificial lakes and gardens. It was built during the time of the previous regime.

British troops had a military base in the complex after the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and then handed it over in 2007 to the Iraqi government, which in turn has allowed a number of political leaders to stay for short term visits in the palaces over the last two years.






AKnews