Topical Issues:

Market Development of Bamboo and Rattan
Products with Potential

LAUNCHING THE FIRST COMMON FUND FOR COMMODITIES (CFC)/INBAR PROJECT

INBAR member countries have had new opportunities to improve the well-being of producers and users of bamboo and rattan products ever since INBAR was appointed a new International Commodity Body (ICB) in October 2001. The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is a prominent financial instrument of the UN. As both CFC and INBAR share the mission of poverty alleviation through commodity development they have formed a natural partnership.

In mid-2002 the CFC Board has made its first grant available to INBAR in order to improve resource base, quality, durability and market opportunities of bamboo and rattan based commodities and their sustainable development in two of the least developed countries - Bangladesh and Nepal. The three year, 2.000,000 US dollar project is to be started in mid 2003. The new initiative is the result of the recognition that revitalization of bamboo and rattan traditions could catalyze both social and economic growth of local communities.

The leading idea of the project is to combine local manufacturing traditions and indigenous knowledge with the modern furniture design and "pack flat" or "knock down" concept. Specific objectives of the project are: a) to develop and introduce rehabilitation and certification systems of bamboo and rattan resources in participating countries; b) to provide design improvement of the bamboo and rattan commodities meeting medium and high quality standards of the developed western markets; and c) to ensure dissemination of the new technologies through training and networking with particular stress on integrating women into the dissemination activities.

The expected benefits of the project are: (i) motivation of rural people for bamboo and rattan plantation using traditional and developed propagation and cultivation techniques, (ii) increase in Bamboo and rattan resources, (iii) creation of more income generating and employment opportunities for the rural masses involved in the activities, (iv) better quality products through integration and modernization of existing rural technologies, (v) development of suitable market mechanism for export of Bamboo & Rattan commodities and (vi) foreign exchange earnings through export of these improved products.

So far CFC has already approved two bamboo and rattan projects since INBAR has become the CFC ICB - the above mentioned project in Asia and fast track project in East Africa. Most of the 27 INBAR member states are also members of the CFC. CFC funds are very competitive and requirements are highly demanding. All CFC project applications are to be firstly screened and evaluated by the CFC ICBs. INBAR welcomes new project applications to the CFC from INBAR and CFC member states. For the CFC project requirements please visit the CFC homepage: www.common-fund.org