Govt lures bamboo investors

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry has promised to issue incentives to private companies willing to develop bamboo-based industries in Indonesia.

The director general of reforestation and reclamation, Hendarsun S. Sanusiputra, said Thursday that incentives would include soft loans.

He admitted that major investments in the bamboo industry were very rare due to the scarcity of raw materials.

"A big bamboo industry needs at least 3,000 hectare of bamboo plantation," he said.

He added that the ministry would focus on developing large bamboo industries in the Manggarai regency in East Nusa Tenggara and East Sumba in West Nusa Tenggara.

The ministry is currently developing a 10-hectare bamboo plantation in Bogor, which is expected to expand to 25 hectares next year. (gis)