Indonesia promoting bamboo-based products
Indonesia promoting bamboo-based products
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will use the fourth international congress on bamboo in Bali this June to introduce its bamboo products to the world, local organizers of the gathering said.
The congress, to be held in Ubud, is jointly organized by the Bambu Lingkungan Lestari Foundation, The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the government.
"It will be a good start to promote our bamboo products worldwide," foundation activist Emil Salim told journalists on Wednesday.
Although Indonesia is rich in bamboo, many people do not know its economic values, added the former minister of population and environment.
Indonesia has to compete with the world's leading bamboo producers, such as China and Japan, Emil said.
Elizabeth Widjaya, chairperson of the organizing committee, explained that bamboo is used extensively in various land preservation projects in several provinces.
Bamboo can reduce the level of air and sound pollution in urban areas, she said. It is also one of best alternatives for building materials.
"Bamboo has long been associated with poor-quality houses in kampongs," Soeryono, a professor of civil engineering at the Bandung Institute of Technology explained.
Progress in bamboo preservation technology has enabled people to produce high-quality building materials, furniture and art pieces, he said.
The congress on bamboo is held every three years under the supervision of the International Bamboo Association, the International Development Research Center and the International Network of Bamboo and Rattan. The first congress was held in Puerto Rico in l985, the second in France and the third congress took place in Japan.
This year's meeting will focus on five major topics: bamboo cultivation and preservation, the value of bamboo, biodiversity, genetic resources and bamboo housing.
Keynote speakers include prominent ecologist Paul Hawkin and futurist John Naisbitt. The meeting will also be attended by bamboo experts, architects, businessmen, musicians and artists, coming from the all over the world.
Various cultural activities, including a house designing competition, music and dance performances and a trade exhibition, will also highlight the event. (raw)