Press Release.

Hanoi, 22^nd November, 2010

“National Bamboo and Rattan Policy Development in Vietnam Conference”:  progressing the Bamboo and Rattan Industry.

Prosperity Initiative in coordination with the Department of Processing and Trade for Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Products and Salt production (DPT), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), have jointly organized the “National Bamboo and Rattan Policy Development in Vietnam” Conference in Hanoi, held on the 22^nd November, 2010.

The aim of the conference was to review and debate the current status and opportunities of the Bamboo and Rattan sector in Vietnam, in order to provide inputs to the Prime Minister’s Policy Decision and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s first National Bamboo and Rattan Master Plan

The Conference covered diverse topics such as Bamboo resource and market development in Vietnam; shared experiences from a provincial perspective of Lam Dong province, and a comparative insight into the Value-Added Bamboo Industry in China (INBAR), and Bamboo sector development initiative in India (CBTC).

Stakeholders from different organizations participating in the conference include MARD leaders, Vietnam Timber and Forest Production Association, Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) from China,  and the Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) from India.

The conference represented an important milestone in developing National Policy in support of the Vietnam Bamboo industry. The development of the Bamboo industry has far reaching positive socio-economic impacts, with the capability to lift many rural communities out of poverty through sustained and increased income.

Some among many guests:

PI

Dr. John Marsh - Director

MARD

1. Mr. Ho Xuan Hung – Deputy Minister, MARD

2. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh – Deputy Director of Directorate of Forestry

3. Mr. An Van Khanh – Deputy Director, DPT

CBTC

Mr. Nipan Deka

INBAR

Prof. Zhu ZhaoHua

Prof. Ding  Xingcui

Anji Bamboo Industry Society

Hu Zhengjian, Chairman