KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has called on state governments and private companies to work together to promote local tourism products overseas as it seeks to expand the international reach of Malaysian handicrafts, including batik.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said stronger collaboration was needed to showcase local products on the global stage and widen export opportunities.
“I would like to ask the Kuantan MP if we can sit down and discuss how we can work together to upgrade products from Pahang,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 8).
He was responding to Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN-Kuantan), who asked what assistance the ministry was providing to batik entrepreneurs in Kuantan, including financial support to boost production capacity, competitiveness and marketing.
Tiong said the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) was already helping local entrepreneurs market their products through both physical and digital platforms.
He said the agency also supported entrepreneurs through technical and business training, production laboratories and community skills development programmes targeting low-income groups, people with disabilities and single mothers.
“Kraftangan Malaysia also assists in developing new products that meet market demand and provides promotional platforms through programmes such as the National Craft Festival, MyCraftShoppe, E-Kraf Bazaar and Craft on the Go.”
Although the agency does not provide direct financial assistance, Tiong said craft entrepreneurs can apply for the Craft Entrepreneur Financing Scheme, which offers financing of up to RM100,000 to purchase equipment and machinery, with repayment periods of up to 10 years.
Tiong said the ministry and Kraftangan Malaysia would also strengthen strategic partnerships with the private sector to modernise handicraft centres into more interactive and competitive hubs.
The initiative, he said, aims to raise the commercial value of Malaysian handicrafts, including batik, expand market access and create more export opportunities to help local products penetrate international markets.
