Bali Obtains US$911 Thousands From Stone Crafts

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Bali Province has obtained foreign exchanges, amounted to US$911 thousands from a various of stone crafts during August 2014, the Head of Bali's Bureau of Statistics, Panasunan Siregar, said here Monday.

"This figure increases 16.29 percent compared to that of the same month last year, which was US$783 thousands. However, the foreign exchange in August 2014 decreases 3.10 percent compared to that of July 2014, which amounted to US$940 thousands," he said.

According to him, the stone crafts are mainly exported to the United States, amounted to 25.19 percent, Australia 11.93 percent, Japan 5.02 percent, and Singapore 0.25 percent.

In addition, the stone crafts are also exported to France 9.40 percent, Brazil 6.20 percent, the Netherlands 5.11 percent, Thailand 2.64 percent, the United Kingdom 1.54 percent, and Hong Kong 0.07 percent.

Meanwhile, the rest of 32.64 percent is absorbed by other countries.

Panasunan added that the stone crafts  are various of statues made by Balinese artists.

Data obtained from Bali Province's Industry and Trading Office records that the stone crafts exports has resulted US$6.91 million during January to July 2014.

The amount has increased by 44.98 percent compared to that of the same period last year, which amounted to US$4.76 million.

The stone crafts have contributed 2.30 percent of the Bali's export total that reaches to US$300.95. This number increased 4.16 percent compared to that of the last year, amounted to US$288.93 million.

The stone crafting is mostly created by people from Silakarang Village, Ubud Sub District, and Batubulan, Gianyar District. It is one of Balinese heritages, which has been inherited from generation to generation. (WDY)