The future has never looked brighter for the horticulture and landscape industry in Asia.   In tandem with robust economic growth, cities across Asia are adopting greening policies, both to mitigate the harsh side-effects of development, and to make their living environment more pleasant for residents, investors, talents and tourists.  Opportunities abound for landscape and horticulture professionals in the region.

In Singapore, the strong commitment by the government to further green up the island to create a City in a Garden has created unprecedented opportunities for innovation.   Several mega projects, like the Gardens by the Bay, two multi-billion dollar Integrated Resorts, and a plan to transform the riverscape in Singapore for recreation and water sustainability all throw out vast opportunities for the adoption of new ideas and technologies.

“Changing Landscapes, Global Opportunities” is chosen as the theme of the inaugural Singapore Garden Festival Expo (SGF Expo) to create a platform for the landscape and horticulture industry to share the latest ideas and technologies and explore business opportunities in Singapore and Asia.  Organised as an integral part of the Singapore Garden Festival, the SGF Expo has two components.  The first is a conference for leading practitioners to share best practices and provide insights into emerging markets and trends driving the landscape and horticulture industry in Asia.  The second component is a trade show to bring together buyers and suppliers of landscape and horticultural products and services.

As the premier tropical Garden City and a key player in the advancement of knowledge in urban greenery in the region, Singapore is proud to host SGF Expo.  We are confident that this event will allow international participants to leverage on Singapore’s status as a regional center for finance, trade and transportation to seek market opportunities and trade links in the region.

The Singapore Garden Festival was a great success when we launched it in 2006.  The only garden show in the tropics to bring the world’s top award-winning garden and floral designers under one roof, the Festival is now established as a “must-see” event on the international horticultural calendar.   It is our vision for the SGF Expo to ride on the success of the Singapore Garden Festival to be a major regional platform to provide growth and networking opportunities for the industry.

On behalf of the Organising Committee, I invite you to Singapore to participate in this exciting venture.