Bamboo Congress to mull sustainable advantage

IMPHAL, April 3: Policy makers, investors and entrepreneurs will get together to discuss the opportunities of developing businesses and industries in Northeast India and other bamboo rich areas of South Asia during the World Bamboo Congress in Antwerp, Belgium from April 10-15.

Speaking to media persons in this regard, Kamesh Salam of South Asia Bamboo Foundation, stated that on April 11, the South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SABF) will be organizing an Investment meet cum information session about the sustainable advantages and investment opportunities of bamboo in South Asia “Where Bamboo Grows”.

He added, “Dignitaries who will address the assembly include Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Belgium, Arif Havas Oegroseno and Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, S Haito, Industry Minister of Mizoram, CP John, Member Planning Board, Kerala”.

Several representatives of corporations manufacturing bamboo products around the world will also be present during the event, which will include a round table discussion, he added.

On a global scale, bamboo is a major commodity and source of livelihood, especially for poor people in rural areas. Over 1 billion people live in houses made of bamboo. In India alone 2.2 million tons of bamboo is used for paper. Other applications include food, construction, joinery, panels, flooring, furniture, charcoal, pulp, paper, cosmetics, medicine and textiles. It is a source of biomass for the booming renewable energy markets, with Europe alone looking to import substantial quantities of bamboo as part of its renewable energy program, he added.

Bamboo is the fastest growing source of wood and investors are taking a keen interest in the potential gains that can be sustainably generated through bamboo utilization. The world Market for Bamboo is valued at US $ 10 Billion and expected to reach about $ 20 Billion by 2015, he maintained during the press briefing.