Peninsula - 2/4/2006

Schools, hotels and individuals, vied with one-another for some of the top honours at the Qatar Fertilizer Co's contest for fruit, vegetable, pot decoration and other categories, held as part o f the Qafco Flower and Vegetable Show-2006.

The show was opened at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre on Friday under the auspices of H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attyiah the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry. The opening ceremony was attended by the minister, top Qafco officials and other invitees. Those present included Abdullah H. Salatt Qafco Chairman, Khalifa Abdullah Al Sowaidi, Managing Director, Jassim Naama member of Qafco Board of Directors, Hamed Al Marwani Industrial Relations Manager Chairman of the Show Organising Committee, and members of the Qatari diplomatic corps.

Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry appreciated the idea of the show and its environmental message and also appreciated Qafco efforts in organising the show and other social events saying: "Qafco Flower and Vegetable Show stands in testimony to the fact that Qafco cares for cultural and social activities and is keen to involve members of the community in the various events it sponsors".

Khalifa Abdullah Al Sowaidi, said: "Our commitment to protect the environment is a pledge that Qafco has taken upon itself and looks forward to see it reflect on all the aspects of its activity. We would also like to widen the scope of this commitment to cover the entirety of factors in our surrounding that affect and interact with our carious activities. Qafco has sought to set and example for action in this arena, and to urge the interested and the concerned parties to put in more efforts towards promoting environmental awareness and to direct more attention towards landscaping and tree planting. Qafco Flower and Vegetable Show, therefore complements the Company's green policy and comes in harmony with it. It is truly gratifying that the show receives extensive media coverage and attracts a large turnout of visitors and exhibitors, attesting to the success of the event and inspiring us with the motivation for further success.

Hamed Al Marwani said: "Being keen on disseminating the environmental approach of the show among the general public and involving the largest possible number of participants, the Organizing Committee is committed to continuous improvement in the show. After its decision last year to shift the show to be organized in Doha the organizing committee decided to extend the show period to be two days."