Sabah's craft industry among nation's top 3
Published on: Saturday, January 31, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah's craft industry is among the top three in the country after Terengganu and Sarawak – thanks to a steady growth in the number of craft makers. On average, a craft maker last year registered sales of RM3,000 each month with the industry generating RM63.1 million in total sales last year. The number was based on the sales of 1,761 craft makers registered with the Malaysia Craft Development Corporation, Sabah branch. ADVERTISEMENT Based on the Federal agency's record, the number of entrepreneurs and their sales volume grew steadily the past three years. It showed that in 2012, some 526 craft makers generated RM31.6 million in sales and in 2013, 1,142 craft makers generated RM56.2 million. This made Sabah as one of the best performing states in the craft industry, said the corporation's Director Abd Rahman Omar. "The most sought after craft here is forest produce – those made from bamboo and rattan," he told reporters during the launching of the Malaysia Craft Promotion exhibition, here. ADVERTISEMENT Towards this end, Abd Rahman said the corporation would continue to assist them to enhance their livelihood, adding that the industry's good performance at present has seen to at least "one or two" entrepreneurs earning over RM1 million a year. However, the number still could not beat Terengganu, which has been enjoying a boom in the sales of "Batik" and has produced many millionaires in the process.
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"Unlike Terengganu, Sabah has not reached a consistent production rate and is very much dependent on bulk orders at present," he said. Abd Rahman, however, anticipated the number of craft makers registered with the corporation to increase to 2,000 people and further boost the sales volume to RM64 million this year. To attain this, the Malaysia Craft Development Corporation would increase the number of its exhibitions from five last year to seven, as it plans to expand the programme to Tawau and Sandakan. "Last year alone, the corporation was able to generate RM4 million in sales from its roadshow, and we hope we would achieve a higher volume this year," he said. Abd Rahman said the corporation may also set up the first designer-craft vending centre called "Kedai Preka" this year like in the peninsula. They plan to set up the shop near the corporation's office, in Inanam, he said, adding they may open a second Kedai Preka in the upcoming craft centre expected to be built within the Jesselton Waterfront. "Other plans include deploying our experts to districts and training the locals to make craft-making their livelihood," he said. The ongoing Malaysian Promotional Craft Exhibition here will go on until Feb 2. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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A total of 32 craft makers are taking part in the event, involving 29 Sabahans, one Sarawakian and two from Terengganu. Abd Rahman said the most popular item on sale at the exhibition is Batik, many of which come from the northern peninsula state.