Women fashion entrepreneurs capable of penetrating international markets: Rosmah

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has many talented women fashion entrepreneurs who are capable of penetrating the international market said the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

"Continuous demand from abroad had given local entrepreneurs the opportunity to expand their fashion businesses to global markets," said Rosmah when launching 'Batik Night' held in conjunction with the Women's Creative Fest 2016 (WKF2016) here last night.

She said lately export of fashion and lifestyle products or 'soft exports' had been very encouraging.

Rosmah also pointed out that in 2015 this business sector recorded a two-fold increase, raking up sales of RM37 billion.

Meanwhile, Rosmah expressed pride in Malaysian batik and songket fabrics which have gained attention on international runways.
She said she also received positive feedback that batik sales in Europe had increased and there was great demand for batik from among famous fashion designers.

According to the prime minister's wife, she also had the opportunity to introduce batik internationally through fashion shows organised in Milan and Paris which were among fashion capitals of the world.   

"I feel proud when I see models parading costumes in batik and songket fabrics on the world stage," she said.
    
Rosmah said the local batik entrepreneurs' ability to produce products which are practical and with aesthetic value and quality was something to be proud of.

WKF2016 is being organised for the third time by Umno Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Secretariat in collaboration with several non-governmental organisations including the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Tengku Nur Zahirah Foundation. — Bernama