Bali eyes Latin America for handicraft exports

20 Jul '12

2 min read

Handicraft artisans from Indonesian province of Bali have started exploring Latin American markets for exports, as they foresee a decline in exports to their traditional Western markets, owing to the ongoing financial crisis.

Handicrafts are considered to be an important trade commodity in Bali and about 138,630 artisans on the island depend on it for livelihood.

However, due to global crisis, the value of Bali’s export, mainly handicraft exports, to several countries has kept fluctuating over the past five years.

Balinese artisans are now eyeing good prospects in Latin American markets, as the region is not much hit by the global crisis, and also people there are keen about Balinese handicrafts.

The Bali chapter of the Indonesian Association of Handicraft Producers and Exporters said the association continues to participate in international product exhibitions to widen business networks, despite the fact that absence of direct flights between Bali and Latin America make it difficult for them to deliver their goods to Latin America on time, while increasing cost.

Understanding the need for diversification in new markets, the Indonesian Government has urged the state-run airlines ‘Garuda Indonesia’ to start new routes linking Bali and Latin American markets, or coordinate with other airlines to facilitate connecting routes.

The Bali chapter of the association said that some of its members exported their products to Latin American countries like Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela, even prior to the financial crisis in Europe.

However, the EU and the US have always remained major export destinations for Balinese handicrafts, and some of the European countries continue to be profitable markets even today.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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