By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Dec 9: The total sales of handicrafts in Sarawak has topped RM17 million as of October this year, exceeding its target of RM15.5 million, says Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting.
He said this during an appreciation dinner held by Sarawak Craft Council (SCC) on Thursday night (Dec 8), where Penghulu Leonard Fong read his speech.
According to data from the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation Sarawak, the numbers also how an increase from 2021, which recorded RM15.7 million in sales.
He also said that the ministry would continue to work closely with the SCC, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation Sarawak, and local industry players to organise marketing events in Sarawak in the next three years, which is crucial to create more opportunities for crafters in Sarawak.
“It is also our hope to increase the number of active and committed crafters from the current 1,143 to 2,000 by 2030,” he said, adding that the number of registered full-time producers has increased from 951 in 2019 to 1,143 this year.
“Secondly is to work closely with other agencies, government organisations, and individuals at the national, regional, and international levels in developing and promoting high-quality craft products globally,” he said.
Other initiatives planned include organising capacity building and outreach programmes to enhance production skills, product quality, and entrepreneurship.
Earlier on, Lamin Dana managing director Diana Rose disclosed that an association for crafters in the northern region would be established next year in either January or February to strengthen the industry and marketing skills of the crafts industry.
“The idea (of the establishment) had been mooted some time ago during a meeting with several crafters in Miri, and SCC would be a vital component in the formation (of the association),” she said.
At the event, six memorandums of agreement (MoAs) were inked between Batik Linut Textile with six vendors in Bintang Megamall Miri.
Also present were Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Dennis Ngau and Miri City Council’s (MCC) Standing Committee for Tourism Development chairperson Warziedea Ahmad. — DayakDaily
