By Ainsworth Morris From JIS

Story Highlights
Cabinet has given approval for the hosting of the first Caribbean International Bamboo Symposium at the Jamaica Conference Centre on November 27 and 28, 2018.
Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, made the announcement during the post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on Wednesday (August 29).

Cabinet has given approval for the hosting of the first Caribbean International Bamboo Symposium at the Jamaica Conference Centre on November 27 and 28, 2018.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, made the announcement during the post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on Wednesday (August 29).

He stated that Cabinet has taken note that bamboo, one of the world’s fastest growing plants and a rapidly renewing source of fibre, is recognised as a multiple-purpose non-timber forest resource and is observed as supportive of value chains across the world, worth approximately US$60 million per year.

Mr. Reid informed that Jamaica and Suriname are members of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to promoting the benefits to users and producers of bamboo and rattan within the context of a sustainable resource base.

He said Jamaica became Chair of the INBAR council of 43 member states in 2015 and, subsequently, under Jamaica’s leadership, INBAR began formulating a proposal to host this regional symposium to initiate a region-wide programme for bamboo in the Caribbean.

“This is noted as a timely meeting to explore packaging means, especially in light of recent conversations to ban styrofoam and plastic,” Senator Reid added.

IMAGE:
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left) in discussion with Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, during the post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on Wednesday (August 29).

SOURCE: https://jis.gov.jm/jamaica-to-host-bamboo-symposium-from-november-27-28/