Atelier Sarawak.
KUCHING: President of Society Atelier Sarawak, Edric Ong, has taken over the presidency of AHPADA (ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Associat ion) f rom Thamr i n Bustami of ASEPHI Indonesia.
The handing over ceremony took place at the AHPADA Board meeting on the final day of the World Ikat Textiles Symposium, held in Kuching from 1-3 Dec witnessed by Dr Ghada Hijjawi Qaddumi (President, Wor ld Crafts Council Asia Pacific), Mdm Surapee Rojanavongse (AHPADA Hon Chairperson), YM Raja Fuziah Raja Tun Uda ( AHPADA Advisor); Dr Supanee Chayaputra ( AHPADA Past President) and other members from Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA), an affiliated Member of ASEAN, acts as a regional forum of ASEAN Member states to address issues concerning the revitalisation, promotion and development of crafts.
As a regional body, it has linkages with international agencies and Non- Governmental Organisations in order to create an awareness of Southeast Asian craft products. AHPADA’s activities include the organisation of seminars and workshops addressing issues such as product development, financing of craft enterprises, and market promotion.
AHPADA was establ ished as a result of the International Workshop on Handicraft for Export held in conjunction with CONEX ’81 in Bangkok in February 1981 by ASEAN representatives from both the Government and Private Sectors.
The founding member states were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Singapore and Brunei Darussalam joined in little later whi le Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam joined in September 1999.
The objectives of AHPADA are:
• To take a common approach to export development and promotion of handicrafts.
• To operate as the focal point for promotion for handicrafts.
• To operate as a focal point for product development and conservation of the raw material resources.
• To organise and participate in trade fairs and exhibitions to promote handicrafts.
• To stimulate the creation of employment opportunities especially in the rural areas.
• To encourage the preservation of craft skills.
In his address at the AHPADA Board meeting following his election, Edric Ong outlines his plans to re-vitalise the AHPADA membership particularly in Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. He also announced the hosting of an AHPADA General Assembly in October 2018 in Kuching, Sarawak with a Forum on ASEAN Hats and Head-dress: Culture and Identity.
In a congratulator y note, the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Abang Hj. Abd Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abg Hj Openg at his speech during the launch of the World Ikat Textiles Symposium, read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said: “I am also happy to note that Society Atelier Sarawak will take over the presidency of the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) from Indonesia. It is an honor for Society Atelier Sarawak to represent Sarawak and Malaysia in this capacity; and we shall be giving you our full support.”
