KUCHING, Nov 28: The ‘Proudly Sarawak: Best of Sarawak Crafts’ fair, which will be held from Dec 2 to 11 at Bintang Mega Mall in Miri, will mark the beginning of the city’s efforts to become the northern region’s hub for Sarawak’s finest handicrafts.
According to a news report published today by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), the event is organised by Sarawak Craft Council (SCC) in collaboration with Batik Linut Sdn Bhd.
“The upcoming crafts fair will mark the beginning of our efforts to make Miri the northern hub for Sarawak’s finest handicrafts.
“As we all know, most of Sarawak’s famous crafts, such as beads, ironsmithing for ‘parang’, Orang Ulu baskets, Penan bags, and many more, originate in the northern region of Sarawak,” Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (Tourism) Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting said at a press conference held on Sunday (Nov 27) at a hotel in Miri.
Ting revealed that more craft events will be held, with Miri serving as the platform for local artisans in the northern region to effectively market and promote their products.
“This year, 20 vendors, primarily from the northern region, will participate in the event. This event will eventually be held annually in an effort to attract more vendors,” he added.
Ting disclosed that SCC intends to double the number of vendors participating in the event to 45 in the future when it organises the same programme.
“I believe this event will increase tourism activities and attractions in Greater Miri,” he said.
Ting hoped the event would pave the way for the crafts trade in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Also present were SCC assistant administrative officer Esther Luat and Batik Linut Sdn Bhd’s managing director Diana Rose. — DayakDaily
