Solok, West Sumatra (ANTARA) - Indonesia's cultural wealth offers great potential for the development of the craft industry and products, Second Lady and chair of the National Craft Council Wury Ma'ruf Amin said.

"Indonesia is a country rich in cultural traditions, which is the capital to develop unique and distinctive craft products that have high values for selling," she explained while opening a craft micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) workshop in Solok district on Thursday.

According to her, with the passage of time, MSMEs will need to diversify their craft industry products.

"What is needed is creativity and innovation. New opportunities can be born through creativity and by adapting to market demand. Meanwhile, innovation can create a more effective production process," she said.

By being creative and innovative, MSMEs can produce high-value products that combine traditional and modern values.

She also thanked the Investment Ministry/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) for holding the training for craft MSMEs in Solok.

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The Second Lady said that the council fully supports the development of craft MSMEs human resources.

"Facilities, access to funding and market, ease of doing business, and promotion, will be our focus," she added.

She invited all parties to build a friendly ecosystem for creativity and innovation and share knowledge and experience to help build the craft industry.

"With this, (MSMEs) not only produce handicrafts, but also pass (the knowledge) on to future generations," she said.

Meanwhile, the head of business management at the council, Sri Suparni Bahlil, noted that the MSME workshop was being held for the third time in West Sumatra since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Post-pandemic, craft MSMEs are starting to grow again. Therefore, it is necessary to provide management assistance, market expansion, intellectual property rights, and others to increase their competitiveness," she said.

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Translator: Miko E, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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