Industry Pioneers Lend Support to Drive Green Design

World-class Jury Assembled for the International Bamboo and Rattan Product Ideas Competition

BEIJING, July 12, 2010 - With under a month left to register for the International Bamboo and
Rattan Product Ideas Competition, aspiring designers, architects and chefs
all over the world will be encouraged to know their would-be creations could
not land in better hands.

Hong Kong fashion designer Vivienne Tam, Colombian architect Simon Velez,
Australian restaurateur Michelle Garnaut, Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler
and renowned German scientist Walter Liese, have agreed to act as judges for
the competition. They will be supported by Hong Kong architect Nelson Chen
and designer Kan Tai-keung. All are recognized worldwide as leaders in their
field and all have garnered reputations for unique vision and innovation.

The competition was launched in March by the International Network for
Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), a global development and conservation
organization, with support from the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. It
encourages submissions from any individual or organization in the world. The
only requirements are that products must use bamboo and/or rattan, and they
must relate to one of four categories — clothing, food, shelter and
transport.

"Bamboo and rattan have always been important for the livelihoods of
rural communities," said Coosje Hoogendoorn, INBAR's Director General. "But
modern technology now enables bamboo and rattan to be used in literally
thousands of applications, not only in villages but also now in cities.

"The purpose of the competition is to showcase the huge potential for
product innovation using bamboo and rattan, which can not only help reduce
rural poverty but also protect the environment. This is because bamboo's
really fast growth rate means it can provide a more renewable alternative to
timber, while processing generally uses far less energy than other materials.

"That we've managed to assemble this incredible line-up of judges goes to
show the value of these considerations in the marketplace," said Hoogendoorn.
"The insight and experience they'll bring to the process will be invaluable."

Winners of each category will be invited to present their designs at the
Competition's Awards Ceremony, which will take place at the Shanghai World
Expo in October.

Registration closes on 31st July and registered participants will have
until 31st August to submit their entries. Go to
www.inbarworldexpo.com/competition.html or email
ideascompetition@inbar.int for more information and registration forms.

Tim Cronin, INBAR, tcronin at inbar.int, or +86-136-4138-5174