Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi plans to give India a run for its money through export of exotic Burmese orchids and bamboo products.

On a visit to The Energy Research Institutes's campus here on the outskirts of Delhi, Suu Kyi evinced keen interest in tissue culture laboratories which micro-propagate varieties of bamboos and Indian varieties of orchids.

"If we can cultivate our species of orchids, we will give a run for your money as well," Suu Kyi said when TERI Director General R K Pachauri told her about success of cultivation of orchids which are exported to several countries.

The pro-democracy leader also spoke of plans to start vocational training centres in Myanmar to train people in making various products from bamboo, which is grown in abundance in her homeland.

Bamboo products can be a money spinner for people in Myanmar as it could help the growth of local economies, which was necessary for strong local governments, she contended.

Suu Kyi also sought assistance from TERI on formulating energy policy for Myanmar which has rich deposits of natural gas and crude oil.

"Burma is rich in energy resources, but also needs investment. We look for responsible investment that is not only sensitive to the environment, but also secures the future of our country. We need to learn more about handling our energy resources. Moreover, Burma also needs an effective energy policy," she said.

Suu Kyi also visited various research facilities and eco-friendly installations developed by TERI, including an innovative building that relies on efficient construction design and integrated use of renewable energy to conserve power and the Micropropagation Technology Park.

Suu Kyi also toured the Nanobiotechnology Research Centre, the two-stage gasifier facility, the Bioremediation Complex and other energy-efficient structures on the campus.

The RETREAT campus, designed to be self-sufficient and independent of any external power supply, has harnessed both traditional and modern means of tapping renewable sources of energy to offer modern amenities at substantially reduced costs.

It also recycles, through organic means, the sewage and waste water generated from the complex.

Around 24 solar water-heating panels installed at the site provide up to 2,000 litres of hot water every day.

Photovoltaic panels set up on the buildings capture the sun's energy and recharge their batteries during the day.

The energy generated by the panels is then fed into a battery bank, which is the main source of power at night.

Following the devastating Cyclone Nargis that rocked Myanmar in 2008, TERI distributed solar lamps to the affected households and later set up biomass gasifier systems for village electrification of cyclone-affected areas.