KUCHING: The reopening of the Tebedu-Entikong trade route is expected to boost cross-border trade on the island of Borneo, providing Sarawak’s craft artisans with greater opportunities to expand their market reach and raise the profile of the state’s ceramic products in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Kuching Ceramic Entrepreneurs Association (Persera) president Zurenawatte Zaidi said the local ceramic industry has a competitive edge, backed by the internationally recognised quality of Sarawak’s clay.
“Sarawak’s clay is recognised for its exceptional quality, as it can withstand firing temperatures exceeding 1,200°C without being damaged.
“We have also collaborated with Sirim, which provided technical expertise to improve the clay’s durability.
“The reopening of the border offers ceramic entrepreneurs an opportunity to expand their market presence in Kalimantan, including by holding promotional events and transporting their products by road,” the owner of Heliconia Craft Collection said.
She said the success of locally produced ceramics in international markets, including Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Europe, demonstrates the capabilities of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), positioning neighbouring Kalimantan as a promising market for further expansion.
Zurenawatte said support from various agencies, including the Sarawak Craft Council, Sarawak International Trade, Industry and Investment Ministry and Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, has helped Persera members improve their product quality and broaden their reach into international markets.
Meanwhile, ceramic entrepreneur Nesieo Hioko Jurang, 30, said her artworks, which are inspired by Sarawak’s cultural heritage and identity, have strong potential to enter markets in neighbouring countries while fostering closer cultural ties across the region.
The Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) fine arts graduate, affectionately known as Yoko, said her distinctive hand-drawn designs, featuring the iconic Sarawak state legislative assembly building and traditional Iban pua kumbu patterns, have attracted interest from customers and clients in Europe, China and Australia, Bernama reported.
