Malaysian Tourism Ministry Targets US$148 Mln In Handicraft Sales By 2020

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The Tourism and Culture Ministry is targeting handicraft sales to hit US$148 million (RM620 million) by 2020. Its deputy minister, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the target could be achieved based on the sales value of US$120.61 million (RM505 million) recorded last year. (US$1 = RM4.18) "The ministry is continuously striving to improve sales, while increasing the number of operators and local manufacturers from various fields whether textiles, metals, ceramics, wood products or others," she said. She was speaking to reporters after the inauguration of the ASEAN Songket Weave Exhibition titled 'Ratu Kain: Satu Rumpun, Satu Warisan' at the National Museum, here, Tuesday. The exhibition from Oct 16 to Dec 31 was officially opened by Tengku Puan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Sultan Iskandar. Department of Museums Malaysia director-general Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim said the exhibition, which combined the art of songket from across the ASEAN region under one platform, was being held so that the current generation would be aware of their rich cultural heritage. -- BERNAMA