Baram to bloom with bamboo

KUCHING: The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), in collaboration with the Malaysian Community Care Foundation (MCCF), has recently visited Baram district to promote local involvement in a new bamboo planting initiative.

The initiative, primarily focused on attracting investors, integrates bamboo cultivation, smart community farming, and eco-tourism throughout the 49,000-hectare Native Customary Rights (NCR) land in the district.

“This effort seeks to unlock the potential of the NCR land through a cooperative approach among landowners, investors, and STIDC, which is leading the bamboo industry’s development in Sarawak,” said STIDC in a statement today (July 16).

The project’s goal is to manufacture a variety of bamboo-based products, including panel boards, flooring, furniture, construction materials, and bamboo fibre for textiles and other industrial uses.

“By enhancing the local economy of Baram and making responsible use of its natural resources, this initiative aims to foster sustainable development.

“With the support of STIDC, MCCF, and local leaders, we are committed to responsibly harnessing the region’s vast resources. This project not only aims to diversify the local economy but also establishes a foundation for enduring prosperity in the area,” it added.