KUALA LUMPUR: Next year, Malaysian batik, songket and crafts will be available in London's famous department store, Harrods.

Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal said Harrrods had expressed interest to stock the products.

"We should do a comprehensive study first."

He said the ministry needed to restructure and strengthen the role of Karyaneka before supplying locally made items overseas.

Karyaneka is a subsidiary of Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia and is entrusted with marketing handicraft and souvenir items produced by local craftsmen and small industries.
"We need a strong umbrella body which can stockpile craft products and batik from states like Terengganu and Kelantan to ensure adequate supplies."

He added that an effective marketing strategy and quality products were needed to market them in the long run.

"Sustainability is an important factor."

He added that although a target audience could be easily captured, strong networking was crucial to increase sales of the products.

He said well-known Malaysian shoe designer Datuk Jimmy Choo, whom he met in London, has agreed to incorporate batik and songket in his designs to promote local crafts.

Shafie was speaking at the Malaysian Film Week held in conjunction with the cultural extravaganza "Titian Budaya Malaysia-Singapore" recently.

The highlights of the event, which ran from May 8 to 11, included a gala night performance by stars from both countries, Kraftangan Malaysia batik and songket fashion show, performances by a traditional Malay orchestra and a visual arts exhibition by Malaysian artist S. Amin Shahab.