More than 10,000 regional and international visitors attended the Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show (RVBIGS) 2008.

It culminated with Riffa Views' award of $10,000 (BD3,780) to the most outstanding RVBIGS stand.

It was awarded to the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife in the presence of RVBIGS organising committee head Shaikha Maram bint Isa bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, Riffa Views garden ambassador Chris Beardshaw and Riffa Views chief executive officer Richard Browning.

'We selected the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife stand since we considered it portrayed the essence of the show and the natural environment of Bahrain,' said Beardshaw.

Such was the quality and creativity of the stands that four additional exhibitors - Royal Court, Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry, Education Ministry and Riffa Views stands - were recognised as Highly Commendable.

The three-day event ended at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday.

Now in its fifth year, it was held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and with the support of his wife Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

Ninety local and international exhibitors participated. Exhibitors included retailers and manufacturers of floriculture, landscaping and gardening equipment, as well as agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture and environmental research organisations, embassies and regional farmers.

The event also featured the Bahrain Garden Club's 43rd Annual Amateur Flower and Vegetable Show.-TradeArabia News Service