Myanmar Rattan and Bamboo Entrepreneurs Association (MRBEA) will implement integrated bamboo industrial zone in six years, 2019- 2024

Myanmar Rattan and Bamboo Entrepreneurs Association (MRBEA) will implement an Integrated Bamboo Industrial Zone in six years 2019-2024.

The association proposed the plans to U Ohn Win, Union Minister of the Ministry of Resource and Environmental Conservation at the meeting between them and Forest Farm Family Company, which has established a private forest, officials from the association and the Minister held the meeting at Forestry Department’s office in Yangon on October 24.

The zone will be implemented in Bago Region and will focus on bamboo products and the complete supply chain from growing bamboo. From bamboo shoots, bamboo sculptures, bamboo furniture, bamboo tiles, tooth picks and so forth will all be part of the industry.

Commenting on the proposal, the minister said that his ministry is also trying to increase the number of bamboo plantations and advised that they will be able to acquire a loan from the government in case more funds are need when establishing the zone.

“When implementing the zone, we’ll need a strong conceptual plan to hold all the stakeholders, such as growers, processors, marketers and exporters. That way they can get enough raw materials, building strong market, conducting research and sharing information. Moreover, it should be implemented as small and medium enterprises so that loan can be obtained easily,’’ he added.

Moreover, the association said that they will also implement 5,000 acres of bamboo plantations in Bago Region and Mon State, they will do this through local small-scale farmers.

The zone will include creating bamboo based industrial enterprises, creating a market for bamboo products, improving infrastructure and looking for investments.

Currently, the Netherlands is helping Myanmar to make products such as crafts and lacquerware which are made from bamboo more marketable.

Compared to other wood, Bamboo can hold two times as much water, produce 35 percent more oxygen and and absorb carbon dioxide five times faster than ordinary wood does.

(Myanmar Business Today: https://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/mrbea-implement-integrated-bamboo-industrial-zone )

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