INTRICATE: Fatimah taking a closer look at some of the traditional Bidayuh handicrafts on display at the workshop here yesterday.
BAU: Women entrepreneurs will be able to showcase their products at the Medan Pelita Women Entrepreneurs Marketing Centre this June.
According to Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, the centre will serve as a platform for budding women entrepreneurs to sell their products.
“This is to ensure that Sarawakian women will have the opportunity to market their products such as handicrafts, Sarawak Kek Lapis (layered cakes) and other food products effectively,” she said when launching the Women Entrepreneurs Workshop at Bau Civic Centre here yesterday.
In addition, the centre will also feature demonstrations by entrepreneurs on the process of making local handicrafts and food items to visitors.
“We are hoping to transform it into a one-stop centre for tourists where they can come and learn about how Sarawak’s signature products are made as well as purchase some as souvenirs.
“This will be the first-of-its-kind centre in the state, and if the response to this is encouraging, we are looking to expand and set up more centres in other regions in the state,” Fatimah said.
Meanwhile, Fatimah also urged the women entrepreneurs to utilise the Internet to market and promote their business online.
“We must be smart in carving out strategies in marketing our products while aiming to penetrate the global market at the same time.
“Every entrepreneur must strive to work hard to produce products that meet the demands of their customers,” Fatimah added.
Around 300 Bidayuh women entrepreneurs attended the inaugural workshop which aimed to serve as a platform to disseminate information among the relevant agencies particularly on the measures that should be taken to promote and market the handicraft products while educating the participants on ways to improve their income and become financially independent at the same time.
Among the ministries and agencies which participated in the workshop included the Welfare, Women and Family Development Ministry, Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, Women’s Bureau, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Saranita, Pusat Kraftangan Kebangsaan, small and medium enterprise (SME).
Also present at the event were Assistant Minister for Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie and Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe.