Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia will undertake an expansion of the bamboo industry as it eyes a bigger market share of the growing global demand for the plant, a Malaysian official said on Thursday.
The global value of bamboo exports stood at 70.78 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 and is projected to rise to 74.26 billion dollars this year, and tapping into this growing market will benefit Malaysia economically, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Chan Foong Hin said during an event.
"This data demonstrates the significance of the bamboo industry to global development and demand...bamboo cultivation in Malaysia now exceeds 4,000 hectares, the majority of which has been developed by the private sector to meet domestic market needs," he said.
Chan said more than 577 local entrepreneurs are currently engaged in various bamboo-related sectors, noting that bamboo is no longer regarded as a traditional material but holds strong potential as a competitive modern commodity.
Chan also said that emphasis is being placed on high-value bamboo product innovation, skills development and the adoption of modern technology, with full stakeholder participation, and the government coordinating with the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) in conducting various ongoing studies on value-added downstream products.
"This effort not only strengthens the development of bamboo-based technology and innovation but is also supported by technical advisory services and human capital development training programs in bamboo plantation and technology," he said.
