Building Investment (September-October 2021)

Bamboo tree planting ceremony held in conjunction with World Bamboo Day and Malaysia at FIDEC in Banting, Selangor.
National Bamboo Industry Development Action Plan
2021-2030 launched to boost exports
The National Bamboo Industry Development Action Plan 2021-2030
has been launched as a continuation of the 2011-2020 plan to boost
the exports of Malaysia’s bamboo and bamboo-based products.
The action plan, launched in conjunction of the
World Bamboo Day 2021 (WBD 2021), serves to strengthen
Malaysia’s direction as a producer of bamboo and bamboo -based
products for export to China, Indonesia, Thailand and around the
world.
Bamboo is an important non-wood resource that also
contributes to the country’s export earnings. There are about 70
species of bamboo in Malaysia, of which 45 grow naturally in primary
and secondary forests. In terms of cultivation distribution, 31% of
bamboo crops are found in Peninsular Malaysia with an area of
229,123 hectares, 45% in Sarawak and 24% in Sabah. The export
value of bamboo products in 2020 is RM8.28 million; the recorded
number is relatively small when compared with the size of the global
bamboo market.
Currently, there are 577 entrepreneurs in the bamboo-based
industry covering bamboo boards, furniture, construction, textiles,
plantations, food and charcoal as well as handicrafts. Most of them
are small and medium industries located close to areas that have
abundant bamboo resources.
The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (KPPK),
through the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), will continue
to provide soft loans for bamboo cultivation under the Forest
Plantation Development Programme (PPLH) to ensure a continuous
supply of bamboo resources. Under the 12 th Malaysia Plan (12MP),
the Bamboo Community Farming programme has also started since
the beginning of this year until 2025.
World Bamboo Day 2021 marked the 10 th consecutive year of
Malaysia’s participation in the global celebration. The WBD 2021
celebration was held virtually on 20 September 2021 and was
YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin (Minister of Plantation Industries
and Commodities) officiates the opening ceremony of World Bamboo Day
Malaysia Celebration Programme 2021 and the launch of the National
Bamboo Industry Development Plan (2021-2030).
officiated by YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin, Minister of
Plantation Industries and Commodities.
Despite the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, various
programmes and activities were planned throughout September
including a colouring competition for primary school students and a
5km virtual run.
Additionally, a programme to plant 100 bamboos
simultaneously throughout the country was held in conjunction
with Malaysia Day on 16 September 2021. The event was broadcast
live via WBD 2021 social media. The Malaysian Bamboo Industry
Preservation Forum 2021 and two series of webinars related to the
Use of Bamboo in the Construction Industry and Bamboo Plantation
will also be held to attract more public interest on the potential of
bamboo cultivation in Malaysia.
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