Nanta: Sarawak Songket gaining traction overseas
KUCHING: The Sarawak Songket has high commercial value and is gaining traction overseas, said caretaker domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said Sarawak Songket has been recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and has the potential to contribute to the tourism economy.
“The exported Sarawak Songket has high commercial value and its esthetical value makes it as one of the local products that has gained traction overseas.
“In fact, Sarawak Songket has been recognised as ICH at the global stage which is capable of creating local socioeconomy and contributes to the tourism economy,” he said at the launching of Malaysian Goods Carnival 2022 Borneo Edition at Kuching Waterfront on Saturday night.
The event was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Nanta in his speech also urged Malaysians to support local businesses – no ma er how small the purchase – to encourage local entrepreneurs to continue their business and aid the nation’s economic recovery.
According to him, the export revenue of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) amounted to 11.7 per cent of the nation’s export, which includes manufacturing, services and agriculture.
The Malaysian Goods Carnival 2022 is the third and last one to be held this year.
The three-day carnival, which ended yesterday, was participated by 60 local businesses offering locally-made products.
It was held together with the Jualan Murah Keluarga Malaysia (JMKM) at the same venue.
Nanta said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) Sarawak branch has held JMKM sales at 344 locations statewide from Aug 15 to Oct 31, a racting an estimated 309,600 visitors with total sales of RM10.7 million.
He said the ministry has always taken proactive steps to help the re-growth of the domestic economy, which can be seen by the hosting of the JMKM Sales and the Malaysian Goods Carnival.
“The carnival is meant to help local businesses and small traders as well as to strengthen locally-produced items.
“Aside from increasing the patriotic spirit amongst Keluarga Malaysia on Malaysian products and services, the Malaysian Goods Carnival campaign’s objective is to stimulate domestic economic growth by increasing local goods sales and increase the community’s awareness that locally made products can compete on the international level,” said Nanta.
It also helps local producers to market their products and services not just locally but also overseas, he added.