Bamboo Business

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, capable of growing up to 96
inches per day. That means that the Bamboo and Bamboo Based Products Industry
has immense potential for growth, especially as bamboo based products are both eco-
friendly and extremely versatile. With proper industry organization, the bamboo
market could soon flourish!
The transactions of Myanmar’s bamboo handicrafts is high early this year.
In some ASEAN countries, they produce value-added products and foodstuffs using
forest products and receive incomes from local and foreign travellers. The regional
countries create bamboo handicrafts to earn foreign income and Myanmar also lures
the interest of tourists with Myanmar traditional artworks such as lacquerwares and
utensils. Myanmar boasts of various handicraft industries and can earn foreign income
with the exports of bamboo products, commodities and value-added foodstuffs and it
can also create opportunities to promote the socio-economic status of bamboo farmers
and entrepreneurs.
“We grow bamboos in 2,500 acres of land in Yedashe Township of Toungoo District
to produce commodities, foodstuffs and decoration materials from the bamboo.
Depending on the age of bamboo and the year of production, the quality of exported
products will be also correct, and so we need the systematically cultivated bamboo
plantations under a plan. Bagan, Inlay, hilly region, Upper and Lower parts of
Myanmar produce bamboo products. China earns billions of yuan yearly
from bamboo exports. Our country has large forest areas and if we make efforts to
earn local/foreign incomes from the bamboo sector, it will bring benefits to the
government, bamboo farmers and business persons,” said U Hla Htay Win, General
Secretary of Myanmar Bamboo Industry Development Association.
The ASEAN member countries like Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia and
Laos produce bamboo handicrafts and foodstuffs and China also produces beer and
alcohol from bamboo shoots and toothpaste and soap including other commodities
from bamboo leaves, and they export the products.
“The sales of bamboo products are good again early this year than the period of
COVID-19. Although there is no foreign tourist, the transaction becomes better than
before due to the high numbers of local visitors. We mainly transport the products to
Bagan, Chaungtha, Pathein, Yangon, Mawlamyine, Mandalay and Sagaing.
The bamboo hats and purses are suitable for this season and most of the customers
make orders to the main sales centre. As the bamboo industry mainly relies on
tourism, the sale is good as the numbers of local travellers are high during the public
holidays,” said U Aung Lwin, the bamboo handicraft maker from Ngathaingchaung
Township.
The local bamboo industry depends on the tourism industry and the sales of bamboo
products are high again since early this year in Yangon and Ayeyawady regions.
About 100 bamboo-based products such as caps, purses, chairs and mats are being
produced in the country.