Sounds interesting. As was pointed out, bamboo is an extremely fast growing plant in the tropics, and this may provide additional jobs and income for those in a developmental mode. I just got some laminated bamboo cutting boards for the kitchen, and a bamboo strip floor mat for my office computer chair. The latter is much tougher and better looking than the plastic mats and decidedly more eco-friendly.
Laminated bamboo is very lightweight and tough - extremely strong, and non-conductive. I say it is much more eco-friendly than any plastic or metal.
Bamboo grows unbelievably fast in the tropics.