Govt lures bamboo investors

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)