Craft industry can make M’sia popular destination — Nazri

Nazri (left) taking a look at belian wood crafts produced by Lundu craftsmen. Also seen here is Wan Junaidi (right).

LUNDU: The craft industry has the potential to elevate the country into a popular travel destination in the Asian region.

With support from all parties, it can help the government achieve its targeted arrival of 30.5 million tourists this year, said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

“I hope there will be effort to increase the number of craft production laboratories where craft entrepreneurs can gain the latest knowledge on product designs that are attractive and meet the needs of the market.”

Nazri expected inbound tourists to bring in around RM103 billion to the country’s coffers this year.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of a Belian Wood Craft Product Laboratory and Traditional Games Programme at Dewan Sri Pakma SMK Lundu yesterday.

Also present were Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who is also Santubong MP.

On the growth of the craft industry in Lundu, Nazri said 48 entrepreneurs were involved in various types of crafts there – 60.5 per cent on jungle produce crafts, two per cent in textile crafts and 37.5 per cent involved in assorted crafts.

He said in 2015, sales by entrepreneurs in this area was RM1.3 million, an increase of 268 per cent compared to the RM358,000 in 2014.

“I hope that this achievement can be maintained and increased through the production labs held here, as well as marketing and promotion on a domestic and international level.”

Nazri advised craftsmen in the area to keep up with the current trends and produce quality goods.

 

 

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