Handicraft festival in Cibinong

Handicraft festival in Cibinong

BOGOR, West Java (JP): A handicraft festival, sponsored by the
Bogor administration's handicraft council, is to be held in
Cibinong, some 30 km east of the city, from May 7 to May 11.

Artisans from 33 subdistricts, state-owned companies and
private-sector firms are expected to take part in the five-day
event.

It will feature a variety of programs including a handicraft
exhibition, a one-day seminar on handicrafts, a seminar on
women's role in the era of globalization, a cultural dialog and
donations to 200 orphans and teachers.

The event will serve as a forum for craftsmen and purchasers
or businessmen intending to market their handicraft products,
according to spokesman for the organizing committee Oscar
Saragih.

"For so long there have been many handicraft products but
there has been no one to market them. On the other hand there
have been many prospective buyers who do know where to buy such
products," Oscar said.

He pointed out that Bogor has a big potential in producing
various handicrafts both in terms of product diversification and
a rich supply of raw materials.

Included among the handicrafts produced by Bogor craftsmen are
shoes, leather bags, decorative stones and articles made of cans.

"Even our shoes have gained an international reputation. I
once went to Germany and found Bogor-made shoes sold in a shop in
Berlin," Oscar said. On the label it read: Made in Ciomas,
Indonesia. Ciomas is a subdistrict in the Bogor regency well
known for its shoe production.(21/bas).