Guardians of rattan

The year 2007 marks a milestone for the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBR). Before it was formalized as an international organization in November 1997, it has been actively playing the role of a collaborator in establishing networks of institutes, unions and individuals. To commemorate the landmark, it will hold various events in 2007 and 2008. INBAR has organized the International Bamboo and Rattan Exposition and Online Exhibition in Guangzhou, China in September 22-24, 2007.

The online exhibition will be opened until December 31, 2007. In line with this exhibition, the International Workshop on Bamboo and Rattan Sector Development-Industry, Trade, Investment and Policy is also was also held in September 23 in Guangzhou. More than 100 participants from different sectors and industries including trading companies, research institutions, investors, university officials, government sectors and NGOs attended the event. “Industry, Trade, Investment, and Policy” is the theme of the occasion.

On November 20-22, 2007 The Global Rattan Workshop will take place at the Haikou, Hainan Island, China. Participants from the government sector, bilateral and multilateral development institutions and advance practitioners operating with rattans are invited. The workshop intends to establish a relationship between these participants, build short and middle-term global agenda for rattan expansion, define funding sources, stakeholder groups and define plan ideas. Other attendees were scientists, researchers, conservationists, business development specialists, importers and exporters.

The International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan (ICBR) is a non-profitable organization for the scientific study of rattan and bamboo. They aim to develop yhe industry through research, global and domestic training, international collaboration and research management. ICBR has undertaken 40 development projects since 2000. This includes various tasks from the Ministry of Finance, State Forestry Administration, and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

A total fund amounting to $31.5 million covers ICBR’s research center. During the 10th five-year table period, ICBR has also taken key projects and international mutual ventures such CFC projects, State Natural Science Fund Projects and ITTO-APEC projects. ICBR has also been working together with 5 scientific foundations – Nanjing Forestry University, Wood Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Forestry, Zhejiang Forestry College and the Sub-tropical Forestry Research Institute.

The partnership resulted to significant breakthroughs in the rattan and bamboo agriculture and resourceful industrial utilization with a succession of technological outputs. ICBR has put up the 2007 Open Research Fund Programme which is a scholarship program for INBAR member countries. It aims to advance international assistance and trade on bamboo and rattan exploration and expansion between china and INBAR members.

The International Tropical Timber Organization is an intergovernmental body supporting the preservation and sustainable management, use and operating of tropical forest resources. It has a total of 59 members that represents 80% of the planet’s tropical forests. The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) was formed under the patronage of the United Nations in 1986 in response to the increasing global concern for the future of tropical forests. It has teamed up with ICBR for its developmental projects.