OREANDA-NEWS. September 12, 2014. Citibank (China) Co. Ltd. (“Citi China”) and the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (“INBAR”) jointly announced five-years of achievements of the China Sustainable Bamboo Enterprise Programme (“the Programme”) and a report sharing programme activities, outcomes and impacts from 2009 to 2014.

Andrew Au, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Citi China, Dr. Hans Friederich, Director General of INBAR, Luo JIanguo, Deputy Director of Sichuan Forestry Department, Zhang Min from Yibin municipal government, and representatives from the local forestry sector, bamboo processing SMEs, industry associations and farmers’ cooperatives attended the event.

The Programme was established after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, in a bid to address the gaps and challenges faced by residents during the reconstruction and foster the post-earthquake revival of livelihoods of affected communities through bamboo production and development. Funded by the Citi Foundation, the Programme has received strong support from the Yibin government, and was implemented by INBAR in partnership with Sichuan Forestry Department and Sichuan Agricultural University.

"We are delighted to play a part in support of Sichuan’s post disaster rehabilitation efforts and sustainable development. We hope that the successful model of the Programme can be replicated in more areas and will benefit more people.” said Andrew Au. “Citi is committed to playing an active role in supporting sustainable development of local communities around China. We believe the eco-development concept and capacity building mechanism of the Programme will garner sustainable benefits for the Programme participants as well as the bamboo sector.”

After five years of diligent work by the Programme team, the Programme has achieved remarkable results exceeding the initial targets. It has helped about 50,000 individuals and more than 240 bamboo enterprises in 45 villages in Sichuan Province and Zhejiang Province, resulting in increases of 30% in beneficiaries’ annual average income. The Programme has not only made significant contributions to the post-disaster reconstruction effort in the eight disaster-stricken counties, but has also helped with the long-term recovery of local livelihoods, by increasing employment opportunities and improving the deteriorated local environment after the disaster. With the successful practices, development models and experiences gained in Sichuan, the Programme has been extended to 20 villages in Zhejiang Province since 2013, benefiting about 23,000 individuals, which has already resulted in significant economic and social benefits. The Programme is an excellent example of how to address post-disaster reconstruction and development.

Dr. Hans Friederich said, “INBAR is very proud to work with the local partners in Sichuan and Citi Foundation to implement the Programme. The Programme not only helps the disaster-affected residents restore production and their livelihoods, but has also accumulated a range of experiences and a successful development model for INBAR in post-disaster reconstruction. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Citi Foundation, Citi China and all partners for your active support."

A Programme report was also launched at the event, which reviews the Programme’s history and development over the past five years, with focus on the sustainable and replicable model developed. The report also analyzed the potential and outlook of the bamboo industry in China, and introduces an effective capacity building mechanism that will enhance the sustainable production and consumption of the bamboo production chain as well as facilitate economic recovery within the reduced environmental and resource capacity after the disaster.

Due to climate change and natural disasters, there are huge demands for environmental protection and poverty alleviation worldwide, where green and inclusive development of SMEs has become an important option. In many countries, bamboo is a sustainable green resource which is fast growing and widely used, and there are hundreds of millions of people make a living by bamboo production and processing. Under proper management, bamboo plantations can provide the long-term environmental benefits of soil and water conservation, as well as reducing carbon emissions, whilst providing employment opportunities for those at bamboo processing SMEs.