Recently I have led the delegation from Sarawak to Jakarta, Indonesia recently to study and explore their thriving handicraft sector in the efforts to understand what had contribute to the industry’s success. Our visit there to coincide with this year’s Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair (INACRAFT2025) at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) which was also an eye opener.
The five-day trade fair had entered its 25th edition and is widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most successful craft exhibitions. Our delegation had good insights on how Indonesia has established itself as a global leader in traditional crafts, with a well developed eco-system that supports artisans through government policies, funding and industry associations.
The Indonesian authorities and craft organisations had given strong support in terms of providing technical training, market access and financial support to artisans. Such initiatives will ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the industry in the global marketplace.
We had also participated in discussions with our various counterparts which include those from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Exporters and Producers of Indonesian Handicraft, and provincial craft councils from Yogyakarta, Bali and Kalimantan.
Together we had explored potential collaboration and future joint projects namely artist exchanges, joint exhibitions and cross-border market access. We had also observed the effective role played by Indonesia’s tourism sector in promoting crafts as part of heritage tourism which we could emulate to further develop the creative industry in the near future.
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