Project News

From 29 April 2014 for 5 days, the training of skills development for Ulos-applied apparels and handicrafts was provided to 10 Ulos producers and tailors in Samosir. The training was organized by the Directorate General of SMI of the Ministry of Industry under its fashion industry cluster development program, while the Expert Team advised the contents and necessary follow-up support after the training. The participants are women, selected among the participants of the training in last March of Ulos-applied handicraft development, and recommended by Dinas Cooperatives, Industry & Trade Samosir as capable of playing a leading role in the subsequent product development and marketing actions.

In this training, the participants, grouped according to fashion theme such as ‘exotic', ‘elegant', were guided to produce the prototype of Ulos-applied apparels and handicrafts (bags in particular) in line with the respective theme. On the last day, they conducted a show where their prototype products were presented each other, and further discussed how they could explore the sales channels of such products in the local and tourist markets.

Through the training, the Local Working Group reconfirmed the importance to leverage collaboration between Ulos producers (weavers)^[1] and tailors who can process Ulos fabrics to diversified/ value-added products of apparels and handicrafts. Promotion and marketing actions have been commenced for Ulos-applied handicrafts (already visited around 10 potential buyers in local/ tourist markets), and one of the training participant tailors is scheduled to open her Ulos-craft shop. In addition to the local tailors, the Local Working Group shall facilitate to discuss business cooperation with two product development partners in Medan. By taking these prototypes as the sample, further marketing action to the target markets shall be facilitated through ensuring collaboration between Ulos producers and tailors, in view of bringing about a case of realizing the challenge action eventually.

Training of apparel/ handicraft development

Sales visit to tourist hotel in Samosir