By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma would be a leading a five-member delegation to attend the six-day World Bamboo Congress (WBC) at Brussels in Belgium which begins from Tuesday.
Dr Sangma would be accompanied by Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong, Additional Chief Secretary PBO Warjri, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) TTC Marak and one Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). The five-member delegation would be leaving for Belgium on Monday.
When contacted, Tynsong on Sunday informed that they are attending the World Bamboo Congress with the specific objective of getting to know the various technologies being used worldwide on how to make bamboo products commercially viable.
“We are going with an open mind to learn and listen to the lectures of various experts in the field of bamboo technology. We hope that this Congress would be a good learning experience so that we may be able to replicate some of the technologies for development of bamboo technology in the State,” Tynsong said. The World Bamboo Organization is organising the event to promote and support use of bamboo as a sustainable and alternative natural resource. This is done through the development of partnerships and alliances, and creation of mechanisms for global communication, information exchange, and technology transfer.
In the last 15 years, the WBC has grown to attract at least 400 participants from more than 30 countries around the world, including world-renowned experts in bamboo design, construction and architecture. Bamboo trade shows and cultural performances are also a special part of the WBC.
Several representatives of corporations manufacturing bamboo products around the world will be present during the event which will include a round-table discussion.
Bamboo is the fastest growing source of wood and investors are taking a keen interest in the potential gains that can be sustainably generated through bamboo utilization. The world market for Bamboo is valued at USD 10 billion and is expected to reach about USD 20 billion by 2015.