Local Handicraft Souvenirs Opens Opportunity For Entrepreneurs To Promote M'sian Products Internationally

KUALA LUMPUR, MARCH 3 (Bernama) -- The decision of all government departments and agencies as well as government-linked companies (GLCs) to make art products by local entrepreneurs as souvenirs opens up opportunities to promote Malaysian handicrafts internationally.

Not only to dignify Malaysian products, this measure also opens more opportunities for entrepreneurs of art products (nationwide) whose trade had been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In PERAK, labu sayong entrepreneur Mohd Pareb Zamari, 46, from Kampung Kepala Bendang, Kuala Kangsar said the decision announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, gives relief to local handicraft entrepreneurs as they will now have the opportunity to generate better income.

"When we receive various orders from government agencies, our business will thrive as many people will get to know about products made by our local entrepreneurs," he said when contacted today.

A maker of fishing boat models, Mohd Isa Siron, 52, from Pangkor Island also shared the same opinion and described the move as one that will help highlight the unique handiwork and talents of craftmen from around the country on a bigger platform.

In KELANTAN, Persatuan Pembatek-Pembatek Melayu Pantai Timur (PPMPT) chairman Kamaruzzaman Mohd Salleh also welcomed the decision. He said the move would allow the association's 350 members to be more creative in producing handicraft that would be suitable to be highlighted abroad.

Bamboo woven handicraft products entrepreneur Hazlina Awang Hamat, 55, from Kampung Anal, Tumpat is also optimistic about her products such as tudung saji (traditional food covers) and nyiru (winnowing baskets) which can attract more customers in the future, considering that each of them has its own uniqueness because it is handmade.

In TERENGGANU, rattan handicraft entrepreneur Nur Fitrah Mohd Azizi, 32, is grateful for the move to help local entrepreneurs like her, however, she hopes that the parties involved can also place orders earlier as making handicraft using manual methods takes time.

Meanwhile, in MELAKA, soft toy handicraft product manufacturer Mazlina Majid, 51, from Kampung Rim said she believes efforts to make handicraft products as souvenirs including for official national events can raise the self-confidence of local entrepreneurs, especially those who are outside the city.

"It is a confidence booster to us to produce high-quality products and achieve the standards set by Kraftangan Malaysia, in addition to being motivation for us to produce better products," said Mazlina, who adds elements of Melaka's identity and batik fabric in her products.

In PERLIS, handicraft entrepreneur Izfah Hanim Abdullah, 42, hopes the move can attract the public's interest in buying local products after the uniqueness and advantages of the art are highlighted at a higher level.

Yesterday, Anwar in his speech at the closing ceremony of the Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024 (KEB 2024) in Putrajaya, among others said government departments and agencies as well as GLCs are only allowed to buy souvenirs produced by Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

Anwar said this was to highlight and increase market access for local entrepreneurs with all parties needing to help and boost the production of local handicraft products, especially ahead of the ASEAN-Malaysia 2025 chairmanship, in order to be able to showcase the uniqueness and authenticity of handicraft from each state.

-- BERNAMA