TAP GROWING DEMAND FOR HANDICRAFTS - INDONESIAN ENVOY

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysian and Indonesian entrepreneurs can
still seize opportunities from the growing demand for handicrafts despite the
unpredictable economic times, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Da'i
Bachtiar said Thursday.

He urged entrepreneurs from the two sides to develop partnerships and
business networks from 'Inacraft Lifestyle '09 in Malaysia Expo' which he
launched here.

"On craft products, Indonesia's export to Malaysia alone was US$4.47 million
in 2008. This occupies an export share of 3.77 per cent from Indonesia's total
export of handicraft worldwide," he said.

The exhibition, held for the first time in Malaysia, aims to showcase
Indonesia's finest craft products, one of the most important sectors in
Indonesia.

The three-day exposition which is also open to the public, features 62
Indonesian exibitors mainly in three segments -- batik, garment and embroidery,
and wooden-made accesories.

-- BERNAMA