Handicraft Exports Up 10 pct: Bali

In what is seen as an excellent sign for this year, trade-wise, Bali’s handicraft exports in January 2008 rose 10 percent to US$16.9 million from US$15.14 million in the same period last year. This boost partially reflects the growing number of tourists to the island. Wooden handicraft and furniture topped the list of foreign exchange earners, contributing US$8.9 million to the total exports in January 2008, and, that is compared to US$7.9 million in January 2007. Coming in second place was wooden toys with a total value of US$5.8 million in January 2008, up 6.3 percent from the same period last year when the figure was US$5.4 million, after that antique furniture including tables, chairs and cupboards came in third, contributing US$3.1 million to January’s total exports or an increase of 23 percent compared to US$2.5 million in the same period last year.