KUCHING, Oct 9 2026: The state's bamboo industry must shift towards the production of high-value goods and large-scale commercialization to unlock new economic opportunities, particularly for local enterprises and rural communities, said Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Len Talif Salleh.
He said the potential of bamboo should not be limited to the cultivation of raw materials, instead, it must be harnessed through research, technological development, and the creation of products that meet market demand.
He said areas with potential for exploration include biochar, activated carbon, furniture, bamboo flooring, composite panels, and bamboo shoot-based products, alongside handicrafts and souvenirs that can be produced by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“If we attempt too many things simultaneously, resources will be spread too thin, and the products may fail to penetrate the market. We need to focus on specific areas and execute them well,” he said when officiating the ‘Sarawak Bamboo Day’ 2026 seminar today.
He emphasized that developing the industry also requires continuous investment and human capital development to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of the bamboo-based processing and manufacturing sectors.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (Pusaka) general manager Zainal Abidin Abdullah said the corporation is identifying high-potential bamboo species for commercial cultivation through research on 23 species at the Sabal Forest Reserve for the development of a downstream industry based on sustainable resources.
He said the trial plot, covering approximately 25 hectares, was established in late 2018 to identify species suitable for commercialisation.
He added site houses around 10,000 seedlings across 23 bamboo species, comprising 12 local species and 11 exotic species from countries including Indonesia, Thailand, China, and Myanmar.
“The project aims to develop a bamboo plantation model that is technically and commercially viable, ensure a sustainable supply of quality planting material, and support the future development of the bamboo industry.
“The project also provides training to local communities and investors on bamboo cultivation,” he said.
He added the site is also utilised for education, research, and training programs in collaboration with local universities, in addition to hosting visits from prospective investors interested in exploring the industry's potential.
Zainal noted the Sarawak Bamboo Industry Development Policy, introduced in 2023, outlines the industry's development trajectory through downstream activities, research and development (R&D), innovation, and sustainability.
“Bamboo has the potential to be processed into various value-added products, including furniture, panels, flooring, packaging materials, textiles, tissue paper, biomass, biochar, food products, and modern handicrafts,” he added.
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