DEDICATION AND PASSION LAUDED
 Glynis Roberts, MP Tourism Minister Hon. Glynis Roberts has suggested that the cultivation and sale of orchids on a commercial level could become another revenue stream for Grenada.
The Minister’s suggestion was include in remarks delivered at last
weekend’s Biennial Orchid Show organised by the Orchid Circle of
Grenada. Hon. Roberts noted that orchids have become a major market
attraction throughout the world, with hundreds of dollars spent on
purchasing new hybrids or improved ones.
She said as Grenada attempts to diversify its economy, the country
could explore capitalising on developing the local market for
Grenada-grown orchids. The Minister is confident that with additional
support, including financing and marketing, the Orchid Circle of
Grenada will be able to attract a wider audience to its flower show.
Minister Roberts proposed collaboration with the Grenada Board of
Tourism, where the show is marketed by the GBT as one of the events on
its annual calendar of activities. She also commended members of the
Orchid Circle of Grenada for their dedication and hard work in
organising last weekend’s “Orchid Extravaganza.’’ Dedication and
passion, she said, are two indispensible qualities in achieving
success.
“If we are to succeed in anything – whether personal, professional or
vocational – we must apply dedication and passion,’’ said the Minister
and parliamentary representative for St. George South.
Here is the text of the remarks delivered by Hon. Roberts, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Salutations!
Ladies and gentlemen, I want to commend all the members of the Orchid
Circle of Grenada for their dedication and hard work in putting on this
Biennial Orchid Show. Dedication and passion are two qualities that are
indispensible in the conduct of any task or discipline; if we are to
succeed in anything – whether personal, professional or vocational – we
must apply dedication and passion.
The theme of this event is “Orchid Extravaganza.’’ And it’s an
opportunity for us to proudly display another side of the beauty of
Grenada. It’s a chance for orchid growers, horticulturalists and flower
arrangers to exhibit their creativity in the care of one of earth’s
most beautiful flowers.
Orchids are one of the world’s oldest species. Studies indicate that
orchids have an ancient origin and may have arisen at least 76 million
years ago and would have co-existed with dinosaurs. They are the
largest family of flowering plants, with more than 20,000 species –
many more times the number of mammal or bird species.
Orchid shows, like this one, are held worldwide by various groups of
floral lovers. One of the groups in Britain, for example, is the Royal
Horticultural Society, which was founded in 1804. The Society, whose
mandate is to promote gardening and horticulture in Britain and Europe,
puts on a series of flower shows that are open to the public.
The most famous is the annual Chelsea Flower Show. It’s a testament to
the high standard of our flower growers that Grenada has been a
frequent winner at the annual Chelsea Flower Show. For this, I think
you should all give yourselves a very, very big round of applause!
Orchids are easily distinguishable; they are distinct for their leaves,
many of them considered ornamental. They have become a major market
attraction throughout the world. Hundreds of dollars are spent on
purchasing new hybrids or improved ones. As Grenada attempts to
diversify its economy, I suggest that we explore how we can capitalise
on developing the local market for Grenada-grown orchids.
I believe our orchids are second to none. With additional support,
including financing and marketing, I am confident that the Orchid
Circle of Grenada will be able to attract a wider audience to its
Biennial Orchid Show.
Perhaps some collaboration could be done with the Grenada Board of
Tourism, where the show is marketed by the Tourism Board as one of the
events on its calendar of activities. This way, the show will be able
to attract a wider audience of not only Grenadians, but also orchid
lovers from the rest of the Caribbean and other parts of the world.
In closing, I want to again commend the Orchid Circle of Grenada for a
job well done. I wish you all the best in hosting this “Orchid
Extravaganza.’’ Thank you and God bless you.
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