Leading Edge Material Development in the Tropics
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Key points: The Tropics is rich in sources of biomass and should utilise this advantage to develop advanced materials that are sustainable and suited to the region.
Nanotechnology will revolutionise many sectors including agriculture, thus we should take advantage of it and the abundance of natural resources in the region to enhance competitiveness of the region.
Bamboo is a re-emerging material that can be found in the Tropics. With its unique physical and mechanical properties, and appropriate treatments and techniques, bamboo can be a good choice for sustainable product and building materials.
Governments should take the initiative to invest in and bring new innovative materials to the marketplace that can be designed for tropical conditions.
Governments should seek more inclusive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which fosters linkages with the host economy to generate job creation by not only upgrading upstream and
downstream value chains, but also spurring broader spill-overs on the host economy. The high export of raw materials in a country may reflect the low level of industrialisation and ability to create a high value chain within the country.
Economies in the Tropics should collaborate with each other without exploitation agenda to
redefine the global supply chain to ensure that high value-added activities can be retained within the tropical belt.
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// 26 OCTOBER 2021
