Bamboo Star Agro-Forestry is going to start manufacturing bamboo products, including chopsticks, which are going to be exported to China form Ethiopia.

It was back in 2007 Bamboo Star was established with an investment of 60 Million Birr. Its owner Michael Gebru, a returnee form the US, explained his company is making ways to export chopsticks to major Asian markets, mainly China. He added he is searching for ways to manufacture furniture that is made out of bamboo.

Currently the company’s products include parquet, toothpicks, windows and door frames. Nonetheless, the owner intends to diversify its products to various types of furniture.

Bamboo Star has its manufacturing in Benishangul Gumuz State Assosa City. The plant lays on a total of 6,000 square meters and has the potential of processing 3,000 square meters in a month. Nonetheless, the installed capacity of the plant is around 10,000 square meters in a month.

According to Michael the demand for the lowland bamboo made products is high for they are said to be stronger than highland trees.

In a related development, Airbus is considering to use Ethiopian bamboo for its cabin components. Michael explained two Airbus engineers were at his plant to examine the quality of the trees.

Michael’s company is also intending to set up a pulp and paper processing factory. He explained he is holding talks with Saud Arabian and Chinese companies regarding the matter. In addition to this he is on the process of establishing bamboo institute in Ethiopia as the nation is largest producer of bamboo.

Source: The Reporter