By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 20: Newly elected senior vice president of the World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR), Edric Ong, paid a courtesy visit to Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng today, reinforcing ties between the city and the global crafts network.
Ong, who serves as an advisor to the Society Atelier Sarawak and is the immediate past president of the Asean Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA), extended an invitation from the mayors of Taraz and Turkestan in Kazakhstan for Wee to attend the World Crafts Cities Forum in April 2025.
Notably, Kuching and Taraz established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023, fostering collaboration in craft development, according to a media release.
During the meeting, Ong presented Wee with a copy of the “World Crafts Cities” publication, highlighting Kuching’s recognition as a World Crafts City in 2018.
He also conveyed greetings from the newly appointed executive board of WCC-APR (2025-2028), under the leadership of president Jude van der Merwe from Australia.
Discussions during the meeting also focused on expanding arts and crafts promotion across the Asia-Pacific region and exploring ways for Kuching to support upcoming cultural events and initiatives.
Wee expressed his appreciation for Ong’s visit, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships in preserving and advancing traditional crafts. — DayakDaily
