Bamboo Star Agro-Forestry, a company established in 2007, is set to produce bamboo chopsticks and other products that will be destined for the Chinese market.
Michael Gebru, a returnee from the US who was living there for 24 years, said that his pioneering company in the industry is making ways to export chopsticks to major Asian markets, mainly China.
Michael told local reporters on Friday at his office, located off Yared Street, in front of the Swedish Embassy that currently he is looking at the possibilities of manufacturing furniture made out of bamboo.
According to Michael, the products processed out of bamboo trees include parquet, toothpicks, windows and door frames. However, he intends to diversify that into various types of furniture.
The demand for a lowland bamboo made products is immense due to its strength, he said. Bamboo trees are classified as both lowland and highland trees where the lowlands are favored for their strength.
The company’s manufacturing plant is located in the town of Assosa, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State. Erected on a 6,000 sqm plot, the plant has the potential of processing 3,000 sqm bamboos per month. However, the installed capacity of the plant is some 10,000 sqm.
Established with an investment capital of 60 million birr, Bamboo Star currently runs on a 100 million birr capital. The company has approached the Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) for financing and is awaiting the approval of some 60 million birr loan request.
In a related news, the giant aircraft manufacturer Airbus is considering to use Ethiopian bamboo for its cabin components. Michael told reporters that two Airbus engineers were at his plant to examine the quality of the trees.
Bamboo Star is also working to set up a pulp and paper processing factory. Michael said that his company is dealing with Chinese and Saudi companies. Michael went on to say that he is on the process of establishing a bamboo institute here since the country tops Africa where 67 percent of the bamboo trees are found here.
China is well known for utilizing bamboo made, wind-mill blades in many of its power generating plants. Bamboo trees are the most exploited plants where some 1,500 products are manufactured. Food stuff, bicycle parts, clothes, pulp and paper are among the various items which are making everyday life easy. In Benishangul Gumuz region, local residents widely eat bamboo shoots which are edible in many forms.
Michael was featured as one of the Africa’s entrepreneurs in major media outlets for making a difference employing a unique business venture. His company currently has created job opportunities for some 500 workers and out of whom 200 are permanent employees.
[TheReporterEthiopia]