SMEs receive seal of excellence from UNESCO
SMEs receive seal of excellence from UNESCO
Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Against a backdrop of a still sluggish export performance this
year, recognition by the United Nations for 11 small and medium
enterprises for their excellence may serve to give exporters
renewed hope.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) and the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and
Development Association (Ahpada) recently awarded the 2004 Seal
of Excellence to 11 Indonesian handicraft entrepreneurs.
According to a release from the National Agency for Export
Development (BPEN), which The Jakarta Post received on Wednesday,
the 11 enterprises were recognized for their products, which are
made from textiles, ceramics, stone, metal, natural fibers and
wood.
The seal is given annually to craft products displaying
excellent quality and innovation from 10 Southeast Asian
countries. It is not an award, but rather a "stamp of approval"
that guarantees that a handicraft product meets the highest
standards of quality and has been produced with careful regard to
cultural authenticity and environmental conservation.
Aside from Indonesia, six entrepreneurs from Cambodia, two
from Laos, seven from Malaysia, two from Myanmar, eight from the
Philippines and 14 from Thailand also received seals of
excellence.
The awards ceremony took place on Aug. 18 in Ayutthaya,
Thailand, followed by an exhibition which lasted until Aug. 22.
The small-scale handicraft industry has been developing
rapidly the archipelago. At present, there are more than 2
million such business which provide employment for at least 10
million workers.
Export figures show that the total value of handicraft exports
in 2002 stood at US$423 million, a major decline compared to
1998, when the value of such exports stood at $1.96 billion. From
January to August 2003, handicraft exports amounted to only $245
million.
According to the industry association, the worrying decline is
due to an inability to deliver stable and reliable quantities, no
direct links to big markets such as the United States and Europe,
and heavy competition from China.
Winners of UNESCO seal of excellence
No. Enterprise Product
1. Brahma Tirta Sari Batik batik silk scarves
2. Lenan Pearl of Silk handwoven silk, stoles, and sarongs
3. Pesona Batik Madura handmade batik
4. Celadon Ceramic tea sets
5. Margriet Embroidery and Craft table runners, curtains, placemats and coasters
6. Indonesia Art Foundation jars decorated with batik motifs
7. Orient Design Image decorative pieces
8. Ratna Linawati mother of pearl jewelry
9. Wakatoby Shop gunny coasters
10. Metalsmithing Studio necklaces and earrings with leaf design
11. Djawa Gallery cotton table runners