Sarawak showcases heritage crafts at Jakarta trade fair

KUCHING (Feb 5): Sarawak is strengthening its heritage-based creative industries as a key driver of inclusive economic growth, sustainable tourism and community empowerment, said Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

Speaking at the opening of Sarawak’s booth at the Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair (Inacraft) 2026 yesterday, the State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said creativity and heritage crafts play a vital role in safeguarding cultural identity while creating economic opportunities, particularly for women artisans and rural communities.

He noted that the theme of Inacraft 2026, ‘From Smart Village to Global Market: Exploring and Celebrating Womenpreneurs in Craft’, aligns closely with Sarawak’s strategic priorities to strengthen its creative economy, empower local producers and preserve traditional knowledge.

“Sarawak views creativity and heritage craft as important drivers of inclusive economic growth, heritage safeguarding, and sustainable tourism.

“This platform enables our artisans to access wider markets while retaining their cultural identity and craftsmanship,” he said in a statement.

Snowdan also highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation in advancing the creative industry.

He added that international platforms such as Inacraft provide valuable opportunities for collaboration among Asean creative hubs, government agencies, artisans, and private-sector partners.

“Such engagement helps promote digital transformation, enhance productivity and strengthen global competitiveness, which are central to Sarawak’s tourism and creative industry development strategies,” he said.

Earlier, Snowdan officiated the opening of the Sarawak booth under the Asia Pacific Craft Alliance Pavilion, where Sarawak artisans showcased their distinctive handcrafted products reflecting the state’s rich cultural diversity and heritage.

The delegation to Inacraft 2026 included Sarawak Craft Council (SCC) chief executive officer Suriya Charles, acting Sarawak Arts Council CEO Awang Ikman Awang Sepian, and Kuching North City Commission deputy director Rudzaimer Malek, as well as SCC board members and representatives from Kraftangan Malaysia (Sarawak).

They were accompanied by Consul General of Indonesia in Kuching Dr Abdullah Zulkifli and his wife Irma Zulkifli, along with senior officers.

Inacraft 2026, officiated by Indonesia’s Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsyal, runs until Feb 8, bringing together artisans, designers, entrepreneurs and creative industry players from across the region.

The Sarawak delegation also engaged with industry stakeholders and visited curated exhibits featuring traditional and contemporary craft expressions, digital showcases, and sustainable design innovations.