ENFORCING TRADITION: Photo shows women making batik. Mustapa says the batik industry needs serious attention and a strategic development plan come 2020. — Reuters photo
KOTA BAHARU: International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed will soon meet Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim for detail discussions on various issues plaguing the batik industry and its foray overseas.
“The batik industry needs serious attention and a strategic development plan come 2020,” he said, adding that issues like pricing of raw materials such as plain white cloth, colours and chemicals, marketing and environment problems would be given upmost attention.
“We realise that our batik exports are negligible at around RM160 million, annually, due to stiff competition from other batik producing countries,” he told reporters after a dialogue with batik manufacturers in Kelantan.
There are more than 400 batik manufacturers in Kelantan but only 150 are actively involved in the business.
Mustapa was concerned if the problem was left unresolved, the batik industry could end up becoming a sunset industry with many manufacturers folding up their business.
He said the ministry mounted a successful investment promotion mission to Singapore last month with delegation members consisting of batik manufacturers from Kelantan.
“God willing, we will organise similar missions to other countries and we are confident the batik industry will remain resilient and grow from strength to strength,” he said.
Mustapa hoped batik manufacturers would go the extra mile to step up the quality of their products and designs in order to gain a foothold overseas. — Bernama