KUCHING: The sales of Sarawak crafts online have been encouraging, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said from April last year to January this year, the value of online sales through three platforms, namely e-Kraf Bazar, Craft On-the-Go and My Craft Shoppe amounted to RM1.5 million.
“A total of 140 entrepreneurs participated in the e-Craft Bazaar, 86 entrepreneurs in the Craft On-the-Go and 39 women craft entrepreneurs in My Craft Shoppe,” she revealed during a visit to the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (PKKM) Sarawak in Petra Jaya here on Monday (Feb 22).
Nancy said 696 products were available on the My Craft Shoppe platform. She added 2,198 craft communities created 174 products last year under the National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) which aimed to help rural residents affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I am very proud of Malaysian handicrafts, especially those from the various ethnic groups in Sarawak. These platforms can help the locals improve their livelihood,” she explained.
During the visit, Nancy also took the opportunity to interact with craft entrepreneurs and PKKM Sarawak employees besides getting the latest information on developments in the craft industry in the state.
Accompanied by PKKM Sarawak director Azran Arip, she also witnessed various demonstrations of craft products, namely the crafting of machetes, furniture made from belian wood and various rattan craft products.
