KUCHING, 28 Nov : The development of the craft sector in Sarawak is set to be more coordinated with the commencement of Sarawak Craft Council Ordinance which was gazetted on 30 May 2023.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the Sarawak Craft Council (SCC) is expected to announce its organisation structure and its operations funding by the first quarter of 2024, with the announcement of its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Meanwhile, Karim also revealed that the global handicraft market would reach USD789 billion in 2023 from USD752 billion in 2022.
“Sarawak recorded total sales of RM21.5 million in 2022 and as of October 2023, the total sale is RM18.3 million.
“As of 31 August 2023, the Malaysian market size has increased by 20% compared to 2022 with sales increasing from RM186.4 million in 2022 to RM223.6 million in 2023,” he said in his ministerial winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Tuesday.
In addition, Sarawak also reported an increase in the number of registered crafts producers in Sarawak from 1096 in 2022 to 1195 in 2023.
“Miri Division recorded the most at 340, followed by Kuching (293) and Kapit (239),” he added.
Under PCDS 2030, the target number of craft producers is 1800 by the year 2030. -TVS
