The handicrafts industry in Malaysia is growing due to high demand from overseas tourists who take the domestic handicraft items as souvenirs back home, according to Mohd Kamil Mohd Ali, Director General of Malaysian Handicrafts.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Premier Craft Interactive Programme at Langkawi, Mr. Kamil said that domestic sales of handicraft items increased to RM 270 million in 2009 from RM 243.7 million in 2007.
He added that batik textiles accounted for RM 138.7 million or 51.4 percent of 2009 handicraft sales.
The Interactive Programme was attended by about 300 staff and trainees of the Langkawi National Service Training Camp. The Programme involved imparting batik making skills including brushing and colouring.
In an average year, a batik handicraft maker produces items worth nearly RM 253,000, said Mr. Kamil.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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