KUCHING: Sarawak’s tourism and service industry is collaborating closely with the wood-based sector to introduce a new segment online next week to target the international market, says state Tourism and Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the distribution of Sarawak musical instruments, including the sape, crafted from rainforest products, had so far received good response even from Latin America.
“In the context of Sarawak, valued added local products sourced naturally from the rainforest can have a competitive edge in the international market provided the small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) acquire some background on the latest information communication technology and its application in production and marketing,” he told reporters after launching the Sarawak leg of Telekom Malaysia Bhd’s SME BizFest here yesterday.
Abang Johari said it was important for local SMEs to position themselves in the international market by knowing the entire chain in terms of products, financing, transaction and distribution to reach the targeted market segments.
He said the country’s current internet penetration of 60 per cent and the existence of the Sarawak trunk highway, spread throughout rural areas, meant business transactions could be done anywhere, including
in remote Belaga due to connectivity to the market.— Bernama