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)