WCC-Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR)

Malaysia Kuala Lumpur

The 25th Asia Pacific Regional Assembly was organised by the Malaysian Handicrafts Development Corporation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during September 18th and 19th 2001. . The country report was based on “Product Development and Marketing”. A Seminar was organized on “Analysis on Raw Materials”.

The Asia Pacific Region covers the Asian countries stretching from the furthest West end (Lebanon, etc.), to the furthest East end (Japan, etc.), including from the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand and a constellation of islands in the South Pacific Ocean). Such a frame engulfs within the following six sub-regions:

Cotton and Silk presented by India
Wood by Indonesia
Masi or Tapamaking by Fiji
Bamboo by Malaysia

The 25th Regional Assembly adopted a regional plan-of-action, Seven Main Strategies and Plan-of-Action for Craft Development 2000 to 2010.

The seven programmes of action presented were:

Fostering research and development and enhancing efforts in information sharing
Ensuring availability of raw materials
Initiating support for craft facilities
Promoting craft education
Expanding market and product development
Creating visibility and awareness for crafts
Strengthening the status of the craftspersons