Malaysian govt relies on batik to boost handicraft sales

05 Mar '13

2 min read

After exceeding the RM 300 million-mark last year, the Government is aiming to achieve RM 350 million in handicraft sales this year by promoting batik among young people, Secretary-general of the Information, Communication and Culture Ministry Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf told Bernama.

He said the Government aims to attract local as well as global fashion lovers and it is optimistic that the country’s handicraft industry would achieve the set sales target.

The Ministry has earmarked around RM 5 million to fund research programs aimed at producing new designs for handicraft products, including batik, he added.

The Government is trying to promote batik, by making people understand that batik is not only meant to be worn by old people, but youngsters too can very well put on the same, Mr. Kamaruddin said.

Trying to popularize batik amongst youth as fashion dressing, Malaysia is eyeing fresh contemporary designs for formal and casual wears, he added.

The interest for handicraft items, including batik, has increased both among locals as well as foreigners due to their easy availability.

Earlier, handicraft items were sold only in handicraft shops, but adhering to the marketing strategies aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s handicraft industry, the items are now also made available at shopping centres and airports, he said.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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