Landscape enthusiasts attend AUSTRADE talk
By MK Anwar

Mr Allaster Cox and other guests present at the talk 

A presentation on the unique Cycad introduced by Cycad Garden Nursery was held yesterday at the Brunei Hotel in the capital. Present to officiate the event was the Australian High Commissioner, Mr Allaster Cox.

The presentation, conducted by Mr Josef Perner, Managing Director of Cycad Gardens Nursery in Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia, welcomed landscape enthusiasts to the wonders of living fossils.

About 40 representatives from agriculture, garden and landscaping business from both the Brunei government and private sector and architect firms were present.

The Australian Trade Commission (AUSTRADE) Trade Advisor at the Australian High Commission, Ms Josie Abdullah, stated that the event is another positive step to introduce potential exports of rare species from the gardens of Australia's proud nursery owners who have achieved international standards.

AUSTRADE offers assistance to Australian Companies who wish to market or export their products overseas, said Ms Abdullah.

Cycad Nursery has large gardens of 2.6 acres planted with mother plants/seed orchard of Cycads, Adansonia, Aloes, Agave, Euphorbia, Pachypodiums(Caudiciform Pachycaul and Succulent Plants) and many other endangered species of plants in a Botanical Garden Setting.

It operates from a acre residential block selling palms primarily and trying to educate people about Cycads as well as export some. They have a distinct primitive appearance carried over from their prehistoric beginnings over 280 million years ago, hence their name, living Fossils or Dinosaur Food.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin