Kuching, Sept 20: Malaysia exported RM 8.28 million worth of bamboo products last year.
As such, the economic contribution of the Malaysian bamboo industry was still low compared to the global bamboo market.
“Last year, bamboo products’ export value was RM8.28 million, a decline of 10 percent compared to 2019.
“The value recorded was too small in comparison to the size of the global bamboo market,” said
Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin in her speech when officiating the World Bamboo Day 2021 virtually today.
However, she stressed, although the size scale of the export contribution as compared to other products, it is part of the main source of income for the rural population.
“Bamboo is an important non-wood forest product that also contributes to the country’s export earnings and in Malaysia, there are about 70 species of bamboo and 45 of them grow naturally in primary and secondary forests,” Zuraida said.
Commenting further, she noted that currently there are 577 entrepreneurs in the bamboo-based industry which includes bamboo boards, furniture, construction, textiles, plantations, food, charcoal and handicrafts.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (KPPK) through the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) will continue to provide easy loan facilities for bamboo cultivation under the Forest Plantation Development Program (PPLH).
“In the face of the shortage of bamboo raw material resources, the government has taken the initiative with the implementation of bamboo plantation development programmes.
“KPPK through MTIB has provided a loan facility for bamboo cultivation under the Forest Plantation Development Program (PPLH) to ensure a continuous supply of bamboo raw materials,” she added.
Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the Bamboo Community Farming programme is scheduled to end in 2025. – TVS
