A presentation for stakeholders

Facilitated by the JBDC

March 2012Presenter: Ms. Lisa Callender, Regional Consultant to the

Commonwealth Secretariat

The Global Natural Fibres Forum

and its implications for Jamaica

Overview

• The Global Natural Fibres Forum (GNFF)

• Scope of the ComSec Natural Fibres Project

• Key Outcomes

• Natural Fibres in the Caribbean: Status of Research

• Investment Opportunities

• Implications for Jamaica

Natural Fibres

Source: Industrial Uses of Natural Fibres, FAO

The Global Natural Fibres Forum (GNFF)

http://globalnaturalfibres.org/

• a global body promoting the usage and development of natural fibres to directly supports livelihoods

• voluntary Secretariat support within Industree Craft Foundation*

*a non-profit social enterprise based in Bangalore, India; set up to support livelihoods and market access for rural artisans in India

• aims to become a global knowledge platform and facilitate the building of a better ecosystem for production, processing and use of natural fibres

• network across the globe of producers, retailers, researchers, designers, artisans, cooperatives, self help groups, suppliers, financiers and organizations

The Global Natural Fibres Forum (GNFF)

http://globalnaturalfibres.org/

GNFF Objectives

• promote natural fibres as a credible alternative in various fields and applications

• facilitate knowledge and information sharing in the sector through setting up of a web based knowledge bank

• promote decent work and improve livelihoods of communities and workers dependent of natural fibres

• increase markets through collaborative efforts and market linked product development

• support research and innovation leading to breakthrough actions.

The ComSec Natural Fibres Project

• A global initiative of the Commonwealth: Africa, Asia, Caribbean, India

• Involvement from Europe and UK (research institutions)

• Background: UN Year of Natural Fibre (2009),

• Secretariat-sponsored natural fibre workshop programme in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), India, in June 2009, attended by 45 participants from 20 Commonwealth

The ComSec Natural Fibres Project (2)

• decision to form GNFF (Caribbean presence limited)

• Support to the development of GNFF as a knowledge sharing platform

• Phase 1: Operational Plan

• Phase 2: Data Collection

• Phase 3: Symposia, Promotion, Launch of sub-networks

Key Outcomes (Phases 2 & 3)

• Compendium of Investment Opportunities

• Fibres in each country

• Directory of individuals and organizations working with/ interested in natural fibres (artisanal and industrial)

• Potential fibre projects identified

• Technical/ Marketing Symposium/ workshop

The Global Natural Fibres Forum

(GNFF) Caribbean

• strategy in terms of how this network is going to be developed, who are the key stakeholders, how is it going to operate, who is going to manage it, and how is it going to be financially viable

• national networks are key partners

• need to address the underdevelopment of the fibre industries and underutilization of fibres

Key Outcomes (Phases 2 & 3)

• Compendium of Investment Opportunities

• Fibres in each country

• Directory of individuals and organizations working with/ interested in natural fibres (artisanal and industrial)

• Potential fibre projects identified

• Technical/ Marketing Symposium/ workshop

Barbados

• Sea Island Cotton

• Panadanus straw/cane

• Khus-Khus grass (vetiver)

Belize

• Bamboo• Banana• Basket Tie-Tie• Coconut• Cohune Palm• Corn/ Sorghum• Cotton • Jippa-Joppa Straw• Kapok/Capok

• Palmetto/ Honduras Pimenta palm

• Rice• Sugar cane grass • Thatch/ Bayleaf

palm• Salt water palmetto/

West Indian Thatch Palm/ Silver Thatch Palm

• Xate Palm

Guyana

• Banana• Bamboo• Coconut• Manicole Palm• Mokru/ Larouma Reed• Tbisiri vine from the Ite

Palm• Nibbi and Kofia (aerial

vines from rainforest)

Jamaica• Bamboo• Banana• Coconut• Sea Island Cotton • Sugar cane grass• Jippa-Jappa Straw• Screw Pine/ Panadanas • Hemp (potential)• Thatch• Wicker

Potential Investment Opportunities

• Composites/ new materials including low cost housing construction materials

• Furniture

• Textiles

• Flooring (Bamboo)

• Carpets/ floor covering

• Packaging

• Handicrafts

• E-Commerce Marketing

Implications for Jamaica

• Building the value chain for local producers

• Geographical indications

• Insertion into and development of new supply chains- local and global

• New opportunities for branding, product development and marketing

• New investment opportunities- small scale technology

• Address rural development and impact livelihoods

• Play a role in the global governance structure

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

AND PARTICIPATION!!!

Global Natural Fibres Forum

(GNFF)

http://globalnaturalfibres.org/

Caribbean researchhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Natural-

Fibres-in-the-Caribbean/118214644947141