Rattan companies from the Mekong explore global market

via CAAI

Posted on 07 September 2010

For the first time ever, rattan companies from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam are participating in the Spoga International trade fair in Germany to promote their sustainable rattan products to the European market.

The Spoga International Trade Fair for Sport, Camping and Garden Lifestyle, is being held in Cologne, Germany from 5th to 7th of September, attracting more than 2,500 exhibitors and 45,000 trade visitors from around the world.

© WWF
Rattan products, in the WWF booth, from Greater Mekong region displayed at the Spoga trade fair in Cologne, Germany

“Rattan companies need to be ready for a big leap in terms of developing environmentally friendly production systems and product designs if they are to attract international buyers,” added Ms Sylvie Rasombath, WWF Laos Rattan Marketing Officer.

For two years, WWF has been working with local communities, rattan companies, national and local authorities in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to promote cleaner production along the rattan supply chain. The aim is to improve local livelihoods, promote responsible forest management and certification, clean up the rattan production system, and link local rattan products to the global market.

“We are looking forward to promoting the Mekong’s rattan products to the European market,” said Xaykham Phetmanyvong the owner of Danlao Co,.Ltd. ‘I think we can learn a lot from what they have to offer in terms of innovative design and meeting international standards.’

“The trade fair is a fantastic opportunity for the Mekong rattan industry to see first-hand how investing in sustainable and clean production systems can give them access to new markets,” said Thibault Ledecq, WWF’s Rattan Programme Manager.

The project “Establishing a Sustainable Production System for Rattan Products in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam” is co-funded by the European Union (EU), the international home-products retailer IKEA and the German development finance institution (DEG).