Exploring The International Craft Market Through KLICF

By Sakini Mohd Said KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Despite of the cacophony in the hall, in the booth housing various goods on sale one woman appeared to be deeply engrossed with some fabrics at one corner of the booth. The 39-year-old Roslima Sinin's eyes maintained their focus on each motif that was neatly embroidered on a piece of fabric while she fiddled her fingers with another piece folded neatly. "How beautiful! I admire products from Uzbekistan such as these embroidered tablecloths. "It's called 'suzani' in Uzbek, which means embroidery, and the quality is exceptional. I was even told that some tablecloths take a year to complete because it is totally handmade. "So, when I heard of this festival I immediately brought the family over because it wouldn't be cheap if we were to travel to the country," she said. The Malay language teacher from primary school of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Bintang Selatan in Cheras regards the Kuala Lumpur International Craft Festival (KLICF) 2016 as a great place to shop for local and international handicraft. UNIQUE COLLECTIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD However, handicraft from Uzbekistan are not the only attraction at the four-day event which began on Nov 24 at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex on Jalan Conlay. Craft enthusiasts stand to gain a wealth of unique and invaluable experience during the festival's second edition, this time bringing together a collection of fabrics from 450 entrepreneurs from 27 countries. Textile products from Malaysia, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran and Kazakhstan are all available under one roof. Countries like Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Colombia too display their crafts here. This is what makes the KLICF unique. The Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation's (Kraftangan Malaysia) efforts should be lauded as it allows people to obtain handicraft from around the world without the need to travel far. Their goal is to ultimately promote the uniqueness of local crafts to the world as well as promote craft from around the world. "For the first time, we are promoting a fabric collection boasting designs and patterns by participating countries at the KLICF," said Kraftangan Malaysia director-general Zuraida Mokhtar. While KLICF did not focus on any specific products in the past, this year the focus is more on types of fabric. LEARNING DESIGN With so much to offer visitors, it is no wonder that Ismail Abdul Mutalib, 52, and wife Siti Mariam Mustaffa, 51, decided to come. As a part-time lecturer at the National Craft Institute (IKN), Ismail makes sure to gather more knowledge on motifs, art decoration and craft development so that it can be applied in his lessons. The craft festival, he said, was the best way to survey and see a wide range of designs from abroad. This includes the designs of the Turkey Ottoman lamps, Indian textile, handmade bags, traditional combs and bedspreads embroidered with motifs from various cultures. "I teach technical drawing and finishing so I need to know all kinds of designs. KLICF has helped me understand the development and growth of idea for a craft. "What draws my attention the most is a Quran stand from Uzbekistan that can be adjusted in height to our liking," he added. LEARNING CULTURE However, no festival is complete without craft making demonstrations. Therefore, 15 demonstrations by local craftsmen are lined up throughout KLICF 2016 such as mould manufacturing, stamping batik, Royal Pahang weaving, gold thread embroidery and rough thread embroidery. Meanwhile, the 12 international craft demonstrations will showcase bag making from Myanmar, organic jewelry from Ecuador and Sumba ikat weaving from Indonesia. The crafts people were specially flown in to allow local and international tourists as well as craft entrepreneurs see their work first-hand. "I was excited to see how the Indonesian ikat Sumba weaving is done and I wanted to learn how to do it. It is their thread that makes them special. "I'm also a weaver and an array of coloured threads are needed to weave motifs on the fabric's surface. However, they don't need coloured threads as their thread already has patterns," said Vilianna Mozimal from east Malaysian state Sabah. WIDENING NETWORK According to Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, KLICF could act as a stepping stone for local and international entrepreneurs to explore the international market. "I urge entrepreneurs to look at the craft market beyond the country's borders. The festival is not only a location to promote and sell their products, but I feel their presence here is to boost their business. "This event in Kuala Lumpur can be a place where they share and exchange information on the craft industry of their respective countries. "This intelligent sharing indirectly creates a cooperation between entrepreneurs worldwide," Mohamed Nazri was quoted at the launch of the KLICF 2016 recently. In line with the festival's theme 'Crafts Unite the Communities', entrepreneurs can use the craft festival as a medium to exchange information on design, latest technology and legal matters involving import and export. ORGANISE KLICF AGAIN The craft industry is one of the sectors which contribute to the country's economy, providing employment to 10,416 people. This year until October, Kraftangan Malaysia recorded a total sales of US$94.15 million (RM418.1 million) generated by 5,091 entrepreneurs. Previously, Kraftangan Malaysia targeted sales of US$112.59 million (RM500 million) for 2016. Therefore, KLICF is the best platform for local craft entrepreneurs to expand their business especially since it attracted 30,000 visitors from Malaysia and abroad in four days. Even the foreign visitors were impressed with KLICF. "It's a very nice event, showing different cultures and skills. Every booth offers something unique. "I like to see the products made of rattan. It is something I have never heard of before. The process of making these products are unique and cannot be found in my country," said Kenyan native Lilian. --BERNAMA