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Myanmar to export bamboo charcoal
Bamboo charcoal, which contains many beneficial chemical compounds, may soon reap export revenue for Myanmar.
Myanmar Bamboo Growers Association is currently making arrangements to export the product to various countries such as the US, Japan, Philippines and India, according to the association’s chair U Kyaw Win.
Bamboo charcoal samples were sent to these countries earlier this month and buyers have arrived in Myanmar to discuss the purchase of the product, he said.
“They have made offers to buy bamboo charcoal. But as we need to provide training to farmers on bamboo charcoal, we haven’t replied them yet.
“We also need to conduct detailed checking for export. As bamboo cannot be chosen randomly, we have to educate local farmers and thus we cannot say definitely when we will be able to export it,” U Kyaw Win said yesterday.
India has also offered to buy bamboo charcoal and if an export deal is struck, the sale price per viss (3.6lb) is set at K10,000.
Bamboo charcoal is used for purifying water, absorbing chemical waste and producing cosmetics, food and medicine as it contains more than 400 beneficial chemical compounds.
U Kyaw Win also said the association is manufacturing bamboo soap in a pilot scheme and expects to sell it in the market.
“If it [bamboo charcoal] can be exported to the international market, economic conditions of our bamboo growing farmers will improve. Until now, we don’t have specific knowledge on bamboo charcoal. After educational programs and training, we will know better,” said a bamboo growing farmer from Patheingyi township, Mandalay.
Training programs are being arranged for farmers on step-by-step bamboo charcoal manufacturing, including bamboo growing and harvesting without causing environmental impact. Bamboo seeds will be distributed for farmers to purchase them easily.
Source: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/mandalay-upper-myanmar/25497-myanmar-to-export-bamboo-charcoal.html