There are 70 bamboo species in Malaysia, with 20 of the world’s best species found in the country’s native forests, including Beting, Semantan and Tumpat among others.
The industry has come a long way since 2015 when total export stood at RM791,000, compared to RM9.16mil in 2019. However, starting 2014, the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry – under MTIB’s fully-owned subsidiary Forest Plantation Development Sdn Bhd – introduced an incentive through the Forest Plantation Development Programme for bamboo growers in the form of soft loans with a 15-year tenure at a 3% interest rate, worth RM10,000 per hectare.
MTIB also conducted yearly activities to provide technical advice and human resource development in bamboo farming for interested entrepreneurs, alongside preparing capacity building programmes for industry players through the sharing of latest foreign technology and knowledge and hands-on training. Since it started its efforts in 2014, it has brought many young local designers to the international stage to help them commercialise their furniture designs and create a robust portfolio with international exposure.
“We’re not a business entity, but we’re focused on impact for the long term and in helping the industry shift into value-added products with higher price points for export, by moving from the typical furniture industry – usually based on original equipment manufacturing – to original design manufacturing and original brand manufacturing, ” she explained.
my_mtib How long time can use Hom many years guarantee
Only one PN bamboo specie officialpakwan