KUCHING: The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) yesterday (Feb 14) welcomed a delegation from the Sabah Handicraft Centre – Yayasan Sabah Group (KYS) as part of a working visit aimed at strengthening understanding and cooperation in the bamboo industry.
The delegation, led by Yayasan Sabah’s Corporate Secretary, Hanafiah Diman, gained insight into various aspects of bamboo plantation, including nursery management and the initial planting process.
Hanafiah said the visit provided invaluable experience and an opportunity to witness firsthand how STIDC has successfully developed the bamboo industry with the expertise of local professionals.
“This experience is highly valuable to us, particularly in understanding the bamboo planting process from the nursery stage to full plantation.
“We greatly admire STIDC’s capability in nurturing local experts within this industry, setting a benchmark for us to explore the potential of the bamboo industry in Sabah,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the visit would open avenues for knowledge and technology transfer between both parties, bringing significant benefits to KYS officers in their efforts to establish bamboo cultivation as a sustainable economic resource for the people and the state of Sabah.
Hanafiah further said that Yayasan Sabah is keen to explore future collaboration opportunities with STIDC, particularly in technology and community engagement.
Meanwhile, STIDC general manager Zainal Abidin Abdullah welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed STIDC’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with stakeholders nationwide.
“The bamboo industry in Sarawak has the potential to become a sustainable economic resource and generate income. We see immense opportunities in this industry, which is projected to reach USD 67 billion.
“Therefore, we want our industry to achieve this success, in line with our commitment under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), where we are targeting 10,000 hectares of bamboo plantations by 2030,” he said.
To date, he added, approximately 4,000 hectares have been cultivated under the bamboo plantation programme.
He also highlighted that community involvement is crucial in ensuring beneficial returns for local communities within the industry.
“We can help the people reap the benefits of this industry through various handicraft programmes and other initiatives,” he said.
