Government of Timor-Leste

The State Secretariat for the Support and Promotion of the Private Sector (SEAPRI), through the Timor-Leste Bamboo Centre (CBTL), organized the cultivation of 16 hectares of bamboo, in the Aidade suco, in the Venilale sub-district, district of Baucau. The 2,351 bamboo stalks began to be cultivated on the 6th of December at the Aidade with the community.

The official opening of this activity - which is the third of its kind to be organized by SEAPRI - was attended by the Secretary of State for the Support and Promotion of the Private Sector, Veneranda Lemos, by the Administrator of the Venilale sub-district, Júlio Tomé da Silva, the PNTL Commander of the Venilale sub-district, Inspector Marçal Mauklaru and other local authorities. The first bamboo cultivation took place at Alieu (where eight hectares were cultivated), the second one took place in Ermera (19 hectares) and a new crop is planned in Ermera for next year.

This activity was selected, as part of the economic diversification project and development of the netural resources of Timor-Leste. It should be noted that New Zeeland showed interest in buying Timor-Leste’s bamboo.

The Secretary of State for the Support and Promotion of the Private Sector, Veneranda Lemos, emphasized the potential that bamboo offers to national production of furniture. “With this production we will create work for our young people. In three or four years, these bamboos can be sold to the Timor-Leste Bamboo Centre, thus raising incomes and the domestic economy, at the sub-district and district levels", said the Secretary of State. Veneranda Lemos, also announced the intention to create processing centres and a bamboo Production Centre.

The Administrator of the Venilale sub-district was very satisfied with the decisions of the CBTL and SEAPRI, in determining Venilale as a region of excellence for this activity due to its climate. In addressing the local authorities, Júlio Tomé da Silva appealed to everyone to take good care of the newly planted trees, and ensure their growth.

Sabino Rua, the Executive Director of CBTL, said that the identification of land for the cultivation of this plant was made in 2010 and 2011. Further to the location of Aileu, Venilale and Ermera, Loes in the Liquiçá district, was also identified as a good area for cultivating bamboo. "Growing Bamboo not only contributes to economic growth, but also prevents flooding," said Sabino Rua.

The Timor-Leste Centre for Bamboo is planning the acquisition of a Bamboo uprooting machine, which will be delivered to the Cooperative Group "Haburas" of Afaloicai in Venilale, allowing this group to supply transformed Bamboo.