Research & training critical in expanding & developing Bamboo industry- Min Dunn

Project Manager, Superchard & Sons   Furnishing Company Ltd., David Patterson (right), explains to Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Dr. Norman Dunn (2^nd left) the process that the bamboo goes through for the final strip, while on a tour of Superchard & Sons Furnishing Company Ltd., bamboo facility at the Factories Corporation of Jamaica Complex, White Marl, St. Catherine on January 8.  Looking on from left is Director, Bureau of Standards Jamaica Special Projects Unit, INBAR Focal Point, Gladstone Rose and Managing Director, Superchard & Sons Furnishing Company Ltd., Superchard Singh.

State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr. Hon. Norman Dunn, is asserting that research and training are critical to the development of the bamboo industry in Jamaica.

“These are very important as we seek to develop this lucrative industry. This would give us the opportunity to accommodate a number of youngsters who we can transfer the bamboo technology to so that they can go out when they have developed the skills to start their own business” he said. “There is great scope for training as one of the remits of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) is not just to see what we have, but to transfer the knowledge and training which is a very important aspect for the bamboo industry”. Dr Dunn continued.

He was speaking during a tour of Superchard & Sons Furnishing Company Limited, a bamboo facility located in the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) Complex, White Marl, St. Catherine on Friday, January 8. Dr. Dunn also informed that plans are afoot to expand the facility to include a research and training component. 

Meanwhile Dr. Dunn noted that there is tremendous export potential for the products being manufactured by the company, and discussions are underway with several overseas investors with a view to securing their support to expand the sector. He added that the Government is looking to partner with a United States-based university to explore the possibility of manufacturing more products from the plant.

The global bamboo market has an estimated value of more than US$60 billion, and is used in a variety of industries, including construction, health and wellness, agriculture, clothing manufacturing, paper manufacturing, furniture, and others.

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