Original disclosure @ DFC website
Updated in EWS May 28, 2024
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According to the "Initial Project Summary" document, the Project involves the construction and operations of a 175,000 air-dried metric tonnes per annum Conventional Baled and Fluff Bamboo Pulp mill in Westmoreland, Jamaica. The Project will produce pulp for the international export market where it will be converted primarily into diapers and sanitary products. Under a separate business enterprise (not part of the DFC use of proceeds), the Sponsor will supply feedstock locally for the mill by developing and operating 6,070 hectares of bamboo plantations in Jamaica using Bambusa vulgaris, an introduced clumping species of bamboo commonly found growing in the country. The Project will adhere to the Jamaica Standard Code of Practice for Bamboo Plantation (2021) and will obtain Forest Stewardship Council certification for the mill, mill products and farming operations. The bamboo plantations are considered associated facility under IFC Performance Standard 1.
According to the "Initial Project Summary" document, the Project is screened as Category A because the Project involves pulp production with a production capacity exceeding 200 air-dried metric tonnes per day. The major environmental and social issues related to the Project include the potential for impacts related to climate resiliency, pollution prevention, worker health and safety, community health and safety, biodiversity, labor and working conditions, and land acquisition
According to the "ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR PROPOSED BAMBOO MARKET PULP MILL IN FRIENDSHIP, WESTMORELAND" document, Bamboo Bioproducts Limited (BBP) proposes to manufacture bamboo pulp in Jamaica in a sustainable and holistic manner. This bamboo will be cultivated in Jamaica and harvested on a managed and progressive basis, and then processed in a world-class pulp mill using state-of-the-art best available technology. The
bamboo pulp will be sold to multinational corporations that produce consumer tissue and personal hygiene products.
| Private Actor 1 | Private Actor 1 Role | Private Actor 1 Sector | Relation | Private Actor 2 | Private Actor 2 Role | Private Actor 2 Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | Bamboo Bioproducts Limited | Client | - |
Location of Local Access to Project Information:
BBP Limited
Address: 39 Hope Road, Kingston 10 Jamaica
Point of Contact: BBP Community Affairs Advisor
Telephone: 876-383-9745
Email: www.bamboobioproducts.com
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Unlike many other development finance institutions, DFC does not currently have an access to information policy.
Under the United States Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), DFC is obliged to respond to reasonably formulated requests for Agency records. However, DFC may apply exemptions from release to certain types of information and may charge fees in responding to requests. DFC has a designated FOIA officer who is trained in how to respond to requests and implement the law. You can learn more about filing a FOIA request at: https://www.dfc.gov/foia
ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION (DFC)
The Office of Accountability is an independent office that addresses complaints about environmental or social issues related to DFC-supported projects. The office provides communities an opportunity to have concerns independently reviewed and addressed. If you submit a complaint to the Office of Accountability, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a problem solving dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the DFC complied with its policies to prevent environmental, social, human rights, and labor harms.
You can find more information about the Office of Accountability at: https://www.dfc.gov/who-we-are/office-accountability
