Annex A: Seminar Programme

A joint FAO/CFC seminar

Wednesday 13 December
9.30 to 12.30; 14.30 to 17.30

1. Opening:

Mr Sietse van der Werff, First Project Manager, Common Fund for Commodities
Ms Paola Fortucci, Director, Commodities and Trade Division, FAO

2. Introductory overview of the sisal sector, its problems, constraints and promises.

Mr Salum Shamte, Managing Director, Katani Ltd, Tanzania.

3. Specific potential markets for sisal and henequen:

• Overview of the various alternative uses for sisal:

Mr Gordon Mackie, International textile consultant, N. Ireland

• Traditional applications: baler twine, other cordage, bags, buffing cloths, cores for wire rope;

Mr Vivian Landon, formerly of Wigglesworth, UK..

• Geotextiles;

Mr Rod Smith, Elwood Consultants, UK.

• Carpets and wallcoverings;

• Pulp and paper;

Mr R Hurter, HurterConsult, Canada.

• Composite materials: plastics/other;

Mr Rik Brouwer, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

In addition, a paper on Green Fibres and their Potential in Diversified Applications by Dr Ryszard Kozlowski of the Institute of Natural Fibres, Poland, will be tabled.

Additional papers are offered by:

• Mr Alcides Leao: on Developments in the Sisal industry in Brazil

• Mr R Mandel, IJO: on Diversified applications of jute

4. Panel of experts: discussion

5. Conclusion