In 2005, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) began work on a bamboo supply chain project in Thanh Hoa Province, Viet Nam. This project, started by IFC's Mekong Private Sector Development Facility (MPDF), involved a number of partners and linked bamboo farmers to the international retail chain IKEA.

In 2006, Oxfam Hong Kong and IFC-MPDF built on this experience and jointly coordinated a bamboo sector feasibility study in Viet Nam, Lao PDR and Cambodia. The study involved 14 organisations and consultants working in the three Mekong countries and China. It demonstrated the poverty reduction potential of the bamboo sector over the next decade.

Prosperity Initiative was then created by Oxfam Hong Kong in 2006 to provide a long-term home to the Mekong Bamboo project and early stage work in other sectors. After the bamboo feasibility study was released in mid 2006, Oxfam Hong Kong, IFC and a growing number of partners continued to build on the work in the Thanh Hoa bamboo supply chain, working with local bamboo processing factories.

Work began on a number of other pilot supply chains and bamboo sector initiatives in the region. A database of over 300 bamboo businesses in Viet Nam was created and links with bamboo business associations and investors in China were formed to assist in kick-starting the sector.

Since this time, the work and focus of Mekong Bamboo has expanded to support lead firms, innovators and government agencies - groups responsible for creating the enabling conditions for a progressive industry. We see these parties as the main agents of change to shape the emergence of new, value adding bamboo industries.

Mekong Bamboo's most recent development has been to develop its presence in Anji County, China through representation and formal expansion of its advisory team and technical experts that enable Prosperity Initiative to provide industry expertise.