Posted on April, 06 2016

A field trip to WWF sustainable rattan project sites was conducted by WWF in late March in partnership with development partner the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).  The sustainable rattan production cycle from natural rattan forest management to pre-processing, processing and final finishing of rattan products was the main focus of the trip, which also included meetings with provincial government counterparts, visits to several villages in Khamkeut District, and a visit to the rattan factory of a company working with the project in Vientiane. During the trip, SDC representatives had a chance to experience village rattan activities first hand and to get a better understanding of the complexities, challenges, and opportunities related to the project, including the importance of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, efforts at policy level to halt unsustainable rattan production, and the vital work being done to ensure effective business models to promote and market FSC certified sustainable rattan locally and internationally.  WWF-Laos will continue on working with SDC on future funding opportunities to extend project activities.