Sarawak delegation explores cross-border heritage tourism collaboration at INACRAFT 2024

KUCHING: Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan led a Sarawak delegation to the Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair (INACRAFT) 2024, stressing the potential of promoting cross-border heritage tourism between Sarawak and Kalimantan to boost the creative industry.
The delegation, including Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment advisor Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Kuching South City Council mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, and Sarawak Craft Council manager Suriya Charles, engaged in discussions with representatives from the Director General for Marketing of Creative Economy, Indonesia.
The focus was on strategies to develop sustainable tourism practices while fostering growth and innovation in the creative industry sector.
“The dialogue also revolved around establishing platforms to identify potential products, ensuring the production of high-quality goods, and formulating effective marketing strategies to promote these offerings effectively,” Snowdan said in a statement recently.
The opening ceremony of INACRAFT was inaugurated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, Teten Masduki.
The exhibition, which runs from Feb 28 to March 3, at the Jakarta Convention Center, features the participation of 1,500 crafts entrepreneurs.
INACRAFT, initiated by the Indonesian Exporters and Entrepreneurs Handicraft Association (ASEPHI) in collaboration with Mediatama Event, aims to promote Indonesian handicraft products, enhance the domestic market, and create international market opportunities for crafts as sustainable export commodities.