KUALA LUMPUR: The handicraft industry needs to invest in the latest technology and expose local entrepreneurs to technological innovation, the Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor said.
She said the sustainability of the industry, which prospects were expected to expand by 2035, was dependent on new strategies including innovation in line with Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
“The industry needs to be line with current developments in which the economy and global industrial sectors are now moving towards 4IR.
“This wave of revolution will spark new megatrends with the emergence of rapid technology, and bring us to the era of digital transformation which will create an impact on the craft industry’s future,” she said.
Rosmah was speaking at the launch of the national Craft Day (HKK) 2018 at Panggung Sari Kompleks Kraf here today, which was also attended by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
Among the crucial digital transformations in the 4IR era was the ‘Internet of Things ‘(IoT) that had vastly altered the way businesses, customer demography and marketing strategies were conducted.
“Globalisation has indirectly demanded the craft industry to enhance its value from various aspects. In this context, the craft industry needs to develop production and craftsmanship strategy, including joint online marketing,” she said.
Rosmah also called on more women to participate in the local craft industry due to its high-yield prospects.
“I understand that women are a crucial asset in steering the industry to a higher level, with the participation at 65 per cent or 3,471 craft entrepreneurs, out of the total 5,361 registered ones.
“Entrepreneurs have contributed 29 per cent or RM148 million from the overall sales value at the domestic and international levels.” - Bernama