Use e-commerce to grow handicraft business, women entrepreneurs urged

KUALA LUMPUR: Women entrepreneurs in the handicraft industry should embrace e-commerce to expand their business, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

The industry has big potential to generate high incomes for women, added the Prime Minister’s wife.

“Statistics show that women dominate 70% of the industry in Malaysia. However, most of them still regard it as a cottage industry to supplement the family income,” she said when launching the 15th National Craft Day at Kompleks Kraftangan here yesterday.

To show her appreciation and support for local handicraft, Rosmah agreed to display her personal favourite collection of 28 batik and songket pieces during the two-week National Craft Day exhibition.

“Personally, craft has always been close to my heart, and I will continue to show my appreciation and support for our local crafts, particularly batik and songket by wearing them at formal functions,” she said.

Earlier, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said in his speech that 5,110 entrepreneurs were involved in the handicraft industry which generated sales totalling RM508.5mil.

The National Craft Day celebration is a tourism calender event to allow local craftsmen to promote and market their goods.

Some 400 entrepreneurs are participating in the event this year, which is expected to generate RM15mil in sales.

Uniquely Malaysian: Rosmah viewing a ‘songket’ held by Manang Songket Sdn Bhd managing director Wan Manang Wan Awang at a booth set up in conjunction with the National Craft Day celebration at Kompleks Kraftangan in Kuala Lumpur. Looking on is Nazri.