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By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, June 18: The Gawai Bazaar here has potential to be included in Sarawak’s tourism calendar, says Deputy Sarawak Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Uggah said the possibility will be discussed with the respective Sarawak and Federal Ministers of Tourism.
“After all, the Gawai Dayak festival is already in the calendar. So this will be part of it, including the Niti Daun event,” he said during a press conference after officiating at Gawai Bazaar 2023 at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) community hall grounds here today.
He said Gawai Bazaar provides an opportunity for budding local entrepreneurs to introduce their products as well as enable them to gauge customers’ response towards their products.
Uggah also noted that Sarawak’s traditional handcraft is a growing industry.
“Yesterday, during the Niti Daun event, you can imagine and calculate the cost of those traditional attire that is being worn and now has (attracted) world attention.
“So there are markets, so this way, we hope it (Gawai Bazaar) would be an opportunity to publicise it,” he added.
Meanwhile, when asked regarding the request by Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for June 1 to be a national public holiday, Uggah said the Sarawak government will discuss it.
Among others present were Deputy Sarawak Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai. — DayakDaily
