KUCHING: Sarawak’s craft industry posted considerable growth in sales in the first half of the year. Sales rose by eight percent in the first five months of the year, averaging RM2.7 million (monthly) as compared to last year which recorded RM2.5 million.
Total craft sales involving 932 craft entrepreneurs from Jan to May amounted to RM13.6 million.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said last year Sarawak generated sales of RM30.5 million through 730 craft entrepreneurs as well as chains encouraged by new projects and activities.
“This is a huge amount compared to other handicraft producing states.
“We are very satisfied with that achievement and I believe the number will continue to rise and further contribute to the country’s craft and tourism industries,” he told a press conference after attending a Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak celebration ceremony at Kraftangan Malaysia’s Sarawak branch Thursday.
According to him, craft product sales at national level recorded RM211.9 million during Jan to May this year compared with RM506.5 million for the whole of last year, with monthly average sales of RM42.2 million.
Commenting further, Mohamaddin noted that the number of entrepreneurs in the craft industry in Sarawak had increased by 28 percent to 932 as compared to 730 last year.
He pointed out that there were 5,572 handicraft entrepreneurs throughout Malaysia last year.
“This number has increased by two percent to 5,684 people this year,” he said.
Asked on the 50 percent distribution of tourism tax collected from 2017 to December last year amounting RM2.58 million, Mohamaddin said the tax was given to Sarawak last March, along with other states.
“Hence there is no issue about the claim,” he added.
Earlier in his speech, Mohamaddin said Kraftangan Malaysia had implemented several new product development and production
activities this year.
