By Natasha Jee & Shaik Shaiful
KUCHING: The sales of handicrafts and textiles in conjunction with the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival have generated a revenue of nearly RM200,000 in just one day.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this proved that the festival,
which has also attracted international participation, received a very encouraging response despite a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is the spillover effect from the organisation of the international level event where it could provide a huge income to the local entrepreneurs.
“I was made to understand that even though the event just started yesterday (Oct 28), the sale of handicrafts here has already generated almost RM200,000,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after officiating and visiting the Sarawak Kitchen and Textile-Handicraft Booth at the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival site here today (Oct 29).
The Premier also said he was pleased to see not only local entrepreneurs participate in the event, but also entrepreneurs from all over Sarawak as well as those from West Malaysia.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts for successfully organising the festival,” he said.
Commenting on the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Race which is held from Oct 28 to 30, he said it has also received an encouraging response with participation from various countries.
“As for next week, the Sarawak Regatta 2022 which is to be held on Nov 4 to 6, and it is also expected to be attended by many people,” he said.
Meanwhile, there are more than 90 stalls selling handicrafts and textiles with the participation of almost 100 entrepreneurs involved will continue to display and sell their crafts throughout the festival.
Among the items sold are beaded jewellery, songket textile, wood and rattan products, and many other local products.
Earlier, Abang Johari also performed the eye-dotting ceremony on the dragon boat’s eye.
Also present were Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah; Deputy Ministers of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Sebastian Ting; State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, and Kuching City North Commission (DBKU) Mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan.
