Handicrafts are an important economic sector in Papua Province. The 2021 Final Draft of the Papua Province RKPD budgeted that handicrafts using coconut raw materials will be one of the development priorities in Papua Province.
Handicrafts is a sector that can have a positive impact on the community, both as business owners and users. With this type of handicraft business, people can have a business that is easier to develop and earn income.
In Papua Province, there are many types of handicrafts produced. One famous type of handicraft is noken, which is made from wood fibers, leaves, orchid stems, and colorful threads are woven into a unique bag. Noken was named a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2012.
Others are bark paintings, batik, pearls, koteka, and tifa musical instruments. Handicrafts in Papua also include daily necessities such as key chains, bags, bracelets, necklaces, crown ornaments, traditional clothes, and various herbal products.
In addition, there are also handicrafts originating from the Natuna district, such as woven pandanus, which is made from pandanus plants that are commonly found in the Natuna district.
With various types of handicrafts produced, people in Papua Province have the opportunity to improve the local economy through the handicraft sector.
MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in Indonesia have a high employment rate, around 97% of the national workforce. By strengthening the handicraft sector, the economy of the people in Papua Province can be improved.
The Indonesian government provides several MSME empowerment programs, including empowerment of financing sources, and improving human resource capacity and technological capabilities. By empowering the handicraft sector, communities in Papua Province can more easily access financing sources and expand business opportunities.
In the 2021 Final Draft of the Papua Province RKPD, there are development priorities related to handicrafts, namely community economic empowerment and increased investment. By implementing the right empowerment programs, the handicraft sector can become a better source of economic growth in Papua Province.
