Tebedu-Entikong Trade Route Reopening: S'wak Ceramic Artisans Eye Kalimantan Market

By Rozlin Rusharmeen Rosmin

KUCHING, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The reopening of the Tebedu-Entikong trade route is expected to boost cross-border trade on the island of Borneo, providing Sarawak’s craft artisans with greater opportunities to expand their market reach and raise the profile of the state’s ceramic products in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Kuching Ceramic Entrepreneurs Association (PERSERA) president Zurenawatte Zaidi said the local ceramic industry has a competitive edge, backed by the internationally recognised quality of Sarawak’s clay.

“Sarawak’s clay is recognised for its exceptional quality, as it can withstand firing temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees Celsius without being damaged. We have also collaborated with SIRIM, which provided technical expertise to improve the clay’s durability.

“The reopening of the border offers ceramic entrepreneurs an opportunity to expand their market presence in Kalimantan, including by holding promotional events and transporting their products by road,” the owner of Heliconia Craft Collection told Bernama.

She said the success of locally produced ceramics in international markets, including Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Europe, demonstrates the capabilities of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), positioning neighbouring Kalimantan as a promising market for further expansion.

Zurenawatte said support from various agencies, including the Sarawak Craft Council, the Sarawak Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment, and the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, has helped PERSERA members improve product quality and broaden their reach into international markets.

Meanwhile, ceramic entrepreneur Nesieo Hioko Jurang, 30, said her artworks, inspired by Sarawak’s cultural heritage and identity, have strong potential to enter markets in neighbouring countries while fostering closer cultural ties across the region.

The Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) fine arts graduate, affectionately known as Yoko, said her distinctive hand-drawn designs, featuring the iconic Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building and traditional Iban pua kumbu patterns, have attracted interest from customers in Europe, China and Australia.

“For the upcoming BorneoCraft Global 2.0 Expo & Conference (BCG 2.0), to be held from Nov 25 to 29, I plan to create more ceramic pieces that showcase Sarawak’s distinctive cultural identity.

“The event will also provide PERSERA members with an opportunity to promote their products to international visitors, including those from Kalimantan,” she said.

Yoko said the reopening of the Tebedu-Entikong land route would help sustain businesses dealing in fragile products such as ceramics and glassware by providing a more cost-effective alternative to air freight.

The positive outlook for Sarawak’s ceramic industry comes amid Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement during the tabling of Budget 2027 that Malaysia and Indonesia had agreed to expedite the reopening of the Tebedu-Entikong trade route to facilitate cross-border movement.

Bernama previously reported that Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) president Datuk Jonathan Chai Voon Tok had said upgrading the trade route would not only boost economic and commercial activities but also strengthen cultural ties between the people of Sarawak and Kalimantan.

--BERNAMA