THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is urging 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 (pic) said stronger collaboration is 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 yesterday.
Tiong 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.
He said the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) was already helping local entrepreneurs market their products through both physical and digital platforms.
Tiong said the agency also supports 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,” he said.
Although the agency does not offer direct financial assistance or aid, Tiong highlighted that craft entrepreneurs may apply for the Craft Entrepreneur Financing Scheme.
This scheme provides financing of up to RM100,000 for the purchase of equipment and machinery, with repayment periods extending to 10 years.
Tiong said the ministry and Kraftangan Malaysia will also strengthen strategic partnerships with the private sector to modernise handicraft centres into more interactive and competitive hubs.
The initiative, he said, aims to enhance the commercial value of Malaysian handicrafts such as batik, broaden market access and generate additional export opportunities to facilitate the entry of local products into international markets.
