One District One Industry a growing success in Sarawak

Sarawak’s homemade Borneo Soap and Reed Handbag earn recognition

Impressive: Taib (second left) looking at an award winning handbag as Assistant Planning and Resource Management Minister Mohd Naroden Majais (left), Borneo To The World Sdn Bhd executive director Azri Nor Abdul Rahman and Kraftangan Malaysia craftmaker Catherine Seni Jugi look on. -ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / THE STAR

KUCHING: Two Sarawak homemade products have won recognition in the One District One Industry (SDSI) showcase.

They are Borneo Soap and Reed Handbag or locally known as Bemban Handbag.

The Borneo Soap is produced by Borneo To The World Sdn Bhd (BTTW) while the handbag is a product by Sarawak Handicraft participant Catherine Senia Jugi.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputra Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais said the Borneo Soap was produced using raw ingredients from the state’s indigenous fruit, dabai.

He said BTTW emerged first in the Health Product Category while Catherine’s masterpiece won the Jungle Wood Product category.

He said both walked away with certificates of participation and RM3,500 each.

Aside from that, he said Jamilah Shukri, who operates a homestay in Santubong, finished third in the best managed homestay category to walk away with a certificate and RM1,500.

He said overall, Sarawak finished third in the showcase, organised by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) at the Malacca International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh last month with cash prizes totalling RM50,000.

“We are happy that some of our products had gained recognition in such a big showcase.

“The showcase is a good platform for our entrepreneurs to introduce and market their products while expanding their business network,” he said before leading a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the latter’s office here yesterday.

It is reported that a total of 537 exhibitors from government and private agencies showcased their products, ranging from food, beverages, home furnishing and souvenirs to health supplements and kitchenware, at the event.

Other than exhibiting goods from all over Malaysia, the showcase also featured a promotion on signature dishes from the 13 states under the name ‘Menu Malaysia’.

A business-matching session was also organised to allow entrepreneurs such as distributors, marketing agents, importers and exporters to carve out potential deals.