Landscaping projects get a shot in the arm

Emirates Landscape and Istanbul Tree and Landscape Company, AGAC, signed a joint venture here yesterday in the field of landscaping design, construction and maintenance, and ecosystem protection.

The signing ceremony was attended by Mohammed Khalfan Al Dhahiri, president of Emirates Landscape, and Husein Akay, president of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Economic Enterprises, the AGAS' owning group.

The joint venture is aimed at pursuing landscaping projects throughout the emirates, such as afforestation, planting, irrigation, creation of parks, environmental arrangements and city furniture.

"It will adorn our cities, such as embellishment works on roadsides, traffic islands, junctions and median strips throughout the UAE," said Al Dhahiri.

Representatives of the AGAC said both the UAE and Turkey have common shares since both countries give outstanding importance to landscaping and environmental protection.

In addition they said the Turkish company carries out planting projects, which suit harsh climatic conditions and are appropriate for the UAE environment.

"One of our most crucial activities is the production and distribution of French Meilland Roses whose most important features are their endurance to heat, drought and exhaust gas," said Ahmed Erorhan, AGAC's managing director.

"We can comfortably advise these plants for the Gulf region due to these features." AGAC is one of Istanbul's most recent enterprises, whose biggest achievement is the restoration of Istanbul's green areas by planting six million plants.

The company realised many landscaping projects such as the planting of trees along roadsides, median strips and junctions, establishing city forests, planting and upkeeping graveyards. It also grows and markets seedlings, produces tulips and meilland roses for the domestic and foreign market.

It also pursues the creation of environmental awareness in the new generation in cooperation with educational institutions.

"AGAC now aims to take its success after Istanbul to customers abroad, with its professional staff, diligent work ethics and its steadily increasing success rate," said Erorhan.