Bali's Exports Of Rattan Handicrafts Reach Us$1,001 Million

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Bali generated US$1,001 million in foreign exchange from the export of rattan handicrafts during the first half of 2016, an increase of 22,56 percent over the same period last year when it hit $817.134,60.

"However, the volume of shipments slumped 45,37 percent from 103.289 units in the first half of 2015 to only 56.430 units in the first half of 2016," Head of the Foreign Trade Department of Industry and Trade of Bali Province, Made Suastika, said in Denpasar Monday.

But despite the slumping volumes, the exports of rattan handicrafts increased foreign exchange earnings, as the unit price appreciated and became more expensive, he said.

The share of rattan handicrafts is still small, only 0,34 percent of the total regional exports, which reached $290,585 million during the first half of 2016, an increase of 21,16 percent over the same period in the previous year when it recorded $239,832 million.

The craftsmen from Bali process rattan raw materials and make them into chairs, cabinets, household furniture, beds, and various types of souvenirs for export.

Bali artisans use attractive and unique designs and this has sparked great demand from foreign consumers, Suastika said.

Bali does not have forests producing rattan.

Hence, raw materials for the various products are brought from Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and Papua.

Bali artisans also use rattan to make various types of merchandise, including bags combined with skins, to augment foreign exchange earnings.

Rattan is one of the 17 types of handicrafts from Bali which penetrates foreign markets.

The rattan handicrafts are exported to markets in Japan, the US, Singapore, France, Australia, Italy, England, Spain, and Germany. (WDY)