Export of Woven Plant Product from Bali on the Increase

(1/13/2012)

The National News Agency Antara says that Balinese exports made from woven fibers and plant material have generated US$2.33 million in the period January – November 2011, an increase of 88.52% compared to the same period in 2010 - when exports for these items totaled US$1.23 million.

I Ketut Teneng, the spokesman of the Province of Bali, said, “valuable foreign exchange was earned from sending 1.83 million pieces of handicraft from January-November 2011, an increase (in quantity) of 105.22% compared with the same period in 2010 when 893,810 units were produced.”

He said the significant increase in volume and income is due to market opportunities and increased production of handicrafts in a wider range of designs that are unique and appealing to foreign markets. Because of this, Teneng thinks that woven handicrafts from Bali have good prospects in the years ahead considering the foreign exchange they create for Bali.

To grow the market further the provincial government is urging exporters to continue to widen their market penetration and distribution.

Teneng estimates total handicraft exports from Bali have the potential of contributing US$ 182.95 million or 39.39% of total Bali exports which totaled US$462.16 million for the first eleven months of 2011.