I have signed a contract with the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) to become their new Director-General, with effect from 1 January 2014. The position is based at INBAR’s Headquarters in Beijing, China.
The author in a bamboo forest in Anhui Province, China
For the next few weeks, I will not have much time to maintain my blog, but from next January onwards, I will write about bamboo, rattan, the green economy and more.
Till then!
Best regards, and my best wishes for a wonderful New Year.
hansfriederich 
Hallo Mr. Hans Friederich,
in Deutschland hat Bambus nur als Zierpflanze eine gewisse Bedeutung.
Welche anderen Bambusprodukte wären für den europäischen Markt interessant?
Es gibt ja bereits Parkett, Möbel und manchmal auch Textilien. Alles Nischenprodukte.
Wie kann man Bambusprodukte besser vermarkten? Gibt es eine Strategie von INBAR?
Dear Marco
Most of the bamboo products produced in China and other parts of Asia find their way to Europe. The EU, the USA and Japan are the top three importers of bamboo and rattan products in the world. In 2012 they collectively accounted for 72% of the world total imports. INBAR (www.inbar.int) has published a report of 2012 international trade in bamboo and rattan, which you can find on the website.
Best regards