Add value to tourism industry, Bumis told

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THIS IS BEAUTIFUL: Naroden (second right) chatting with a pua kumbu weaver together with (from right) Sahaimi and Syed Ismail at the Malaysian Craft Promotion and Entrepreneur’s Carnival. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa

KUCHING:  Bumiputera handicraft entrepreneurs have been urged to assist in adding value to the state’s tourism industry by participating actively in programmes organised by the government.

Assistant Minister of Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais yesterday said Bumiputera handicraft entrepreneurs should take advantage of the state’s tourism industry because there were still much untapped opportunities.

“The involvement of Bumiputera handicraft entrepreneurs in the tourism industry will add value to industry and strengthen it,” he said at the Malaysian Craft Promotion and Entrepreneur’s Carnival 2012.

About 70 entrepreneurs participated in the carnival held at Kuching Waterfront from Jun 22 to July 1 from 9.30am to 10.30pm.

The minister also urged local entrepreneurs to look into the production of vinegar from nipah tree as it could fetch thousands of ringgit per litre.

According to him, nipah vinegar is used in the production of pharmaceutical products.

“The state is rich with nipah trees especially in swampy coastal areas. From my experience in visiting Kuantan in Pahang there were many entrepreneurs selling ‘air sadap’ which is gathered from the nipah tree.

I’m confident that we can be a major producer of nipah vinegar and therefore I urge entrepreneurs to take advantage of this as it is a highly prized raw material,” he said.

Meanwhile, state Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation director Sahaimi Abd Manaf said the carnival was held to assist handicraft entrepreneurs to promote and sell their products in the domestic market.

“Among other efforts to promote the industry, two infrastructure have been set up in Sibu to manufacture parang irang and bags besides upgrading a workshop in Kampung Mang (Samarahan) for songket weaving,” he said. He added that the event was also held in Miri and Sibu.

“A total of 70 entrepreneurs participated in the carnival this year. A total of 54 are handicraft entrepreneurs and 16 are entrepreneurs under the supervision of Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Unit (UPUB),” he said.

Also present was UPUB assistant director Syed Ismail Nasirudin Wan Hashim.

During the event, Naroden also presented aid to four entrepreneurs.

Among the aid given were workshop renovations, handicraft raw materials and machinery to entrepreneurs in Samarahan, Simunjan, Kapit and Belaga.