Bali’s artisans strive for foreign markets
The Jakarta Post, Gianyar | Mon, 08/30/2010 10:51 AM
Local craftsmen in Bali face difficulties getting their wares into overseas markets through direct exports, with many of them relying on brokers or foreign tourists visiting their shops.
They said the procedures for direct export were complicated, and that their products did not meet the standards for exported products.
“I rely on foreign tourists coming here to buy my wooden statutes,” said I Wayan Sumarta, sculptor from Batubulan village, Gianyar.
He said he had begun exporting his products to Germany. “[Business is] not bad, we received Rp 75 million [US$8,300] worth of orders last month.”
However, he often receives complaints about the dryness of his sculptures’ wood.
“Most customers complained of a mold that grows on some sculptures,” Sumarta said.
Sumarta and 51 other artisans in the Adi Cahya group still heavily reliant on sunlight to dry their products.
The local administration provided the group with an industrial grade wood drying machine. However, due to electricity shortages, the machine is largely unused.
The group was also gifted sculpture-making equipment by the government.
“We hope the government supports us in managing our enterprises and giving us capital,” Sumarta said.
Besides facing obstacles in penetrating overseas markets, Sumarta and other craftsmen also find it increasingly difficult to get their hands on timber, the price of which has increased to Rp 2.5 million per cubic meter.
Sumarta needs at least four cubic meter of wood a month. “I used to buy it for only Rp 1.8 million per cubic [meter],” he complained.
Ida Bagus Adnyana, an weaver from Blahbatuh, Gianyar, faces similar difficulties, saying he still counted on foreign tourists visiting his gallery.
Adnyana said he had managed to sell some products to Japan, but 60 percent of his customers were domestic.
Ida Ayu Gede Widari Sukerti, a staff member at the at the provincial Trade and Industry Agency, said the agency is working on helping Bali’s artisans get their products to foreign markets.
