STIDC workshop with China’s experts on bamboo application

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KUCHING: Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) chalked a new milestone by inviting Chinese experts here to run a workshop on bamboo applications.

Besides promoting bamboo products in the Sarawak Timber and SMEs Expo 2015, STIDC in collaboration with its Chinese counterparts is conducting a training workshop on bamboo applications, said a STIDC press statement yesterday.

The MoU signing between STIDC and Centre of Anji Bamboo Research and Design (CABRD) during the opening ceremony of the Sarawak Timber and SMEs Expo 2015 reflects STIDC’s commitment to develop this industry in Sarawak. The MoU charts the way forward for technical collaboration on R&D on bamboo plantation and bamboo products manufacturing in the state.

The two-week training workshop is facilitated by Weiren Zeng from the Centre of Anji Bamboo Research and Design in China. He is assisted by specialists in bamboo weaving as well as bamboo building and furniture which comes with decades of experience.

The workshop focuses on raw bamboo processing, bamboo weaving, bamboo furniture making as well as basic bamboo craft tools handling.

Through this workshop, STIDC hopes to share knowledge with participants on becoming new entrepreneurs by making simple household furniture, baskets and handicrafts to meet market demands and generate income.

Awareness on the economic potential of bamboo in Sarawak is evident by the presence of a Bamboo Museum and Bamboo Botanical Park in the state capital, to sustain this resource for the benefit of the present and future generations.

STIDC and other government agencies plan to collaborate with their Chinese counterparts to integrate the bamboo sector within the timber industry.

STIDC was selected by the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) to represent Malaysia for the Aid Programme on ‘Capacity Building for Bamboo and Rattan Sustainable Development’ by attending a Training Seminar on SMEs of bamboo industry in China earlier this year from April 9-23.

Sarawak has huge potential in the bamboo industry due to available land and suitable soil and climate. The existing bamboo resources in Sarawak are based on their natural grain mainly for handicrafts. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing crops with a three-to-four year gestation period.

It is a renewable source of raw material with big potential for SMEs here. Bamboo is poised to add value to timber and R&D on bamboo therefore helps to spearhead the development of SMEs in the state.

Looking at its economic potential, there is good prospect for bamboo industry particularly in Sarawak.

The global market value for bamboo products is forecasted at US$15-20 billion by 2018 with USA as a major consumer.

According to Malaysian Timber Industry Board and Forest Research Institute Malaysia, there are 70 bamboo species in Malaysia in which 50 species are found in the peninsula, 30 species in Sabah and 20 species in Sarawak.

Out of these, 12 species are used commercially.