Heaptalk, Jakarta — To scale up competitiveness in domestic and global markets, West Kutai Regent FX Yapan asked handicraft business actors to boost innovation, creativity, and productivity.
“Increasing competitiveness is the main key to developing craft products. In this way, the craftsmen will be able to compete both in the domestic and global markets,” said FX Yapan when visiting the National Crafts Council for West Kutai Region (Dekranasda) stand at Lamin Bahau, Sendawar Cultural Park Complex.
FX Yapan appreciated the craftsmen assisted by West Kutai Dekranasda who always play an active role in supporting government activities and contributing to development in the regency, specifically in the craft subsector.
He voiced, “Dekranasda acts as a showcase for Indonesian cultural heritage crafts and fosters craftsmen to prepare themselves for the global market.” For Dekranasda in inland and border areas, West Kutai Regent asked its members to maintain local culture and crafts to build balance as is done in other regions.
West Kutai craftsmen have developed diverse products
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the West Kutai Dekranasda Yayuk Seri Rahayu Yapan advised craftsmen to remain enthusiastic in promoting and producing West Kutai specialty handicrafts. She asked craftsmen to boost their creativity in developing derivative products, such as doyo weaving. Doyo is a kind of pandan plant that has strong fibers and grows wild in the inland of Kalimantan, one of which is in the Tanjung Isuy Village, Jempang District, West Kutai.
Yayuk said, “Doyo weaving is not only made into cloth but can also be made into various kinds of bags, earrings, vests, and other fashion products. With this exhibition, we can see that West Kutai craftsmen have increased their creativity. The proof is the variety of products they make.”
Apart from that, Yayuk suggested her craftsmen sell quality products at reasonable prices and not too expensive considering that people’s purchasing power is increasing, especially for handicraft products.
Secretary of the West Kutai Dekranasda Yuyun Diah Setyorini added that this exhibition is a form of participation and active role of the West Kutai Dekranasda in supporting the Dahau Festival to commemorate the 24th anniversary of West Kutai. “At this Dekranasda stand, we accommodate all the trained craftsmen to promote their creative products,” Yuyun concluded. (Translated by Sinta)
