KANGAR, The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) through Malaysian Crafts is committed to developing more communities skilled in craft to meet the needs of the cottage industry and improve the standard of living in rural areas. MOTAC deputy secretary-general (management) Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot said programmes that provide exposure and upskilling to new communities in handicraft enterprises can help them turn it into a primary or secondary source of income. 'This effort also indirectly contributes to the government's direction in eradicating hardcore poverty in this country,' he said at the closing of the North Craft Festival (FKU) 2024 at the Perlis branch of the Malaysian Crafts Development Corporation near here today. The closing ceremony of FKU 2024 was officiated by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail who was accompanied by the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil. Shaharuddin also suggested that the Perlis state governmen t established a 'Kampung Angkat Kraf' (Crafts Foster Village) programme in Kangar, Arau and Padang Besar which can be strengthened in synergy with existing tourism products under MOTAC, like homestay. 'This programme not only gives tourists an opportunity to experience the local lifestyle and culture, but it can also strengthen the tourism sector in Perlis and produce more handicraft entrepreneurs from the rural community,' he said. The FKU 2024, which lasted for 10 days from Sept 27, saw the participation of 61 handicraft entrepreneurs from the northern states as well as several other states. Source: BERNAMA News Agency