PRESS RELEASE NO.42/SP/TKMG20/11/2022 G20

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TEAM

Marves - Denpasar, November 10, 2022 – Handicrafts and culinary businesses in Bali hope that delegates of the G20 Summit participating countries will make time for souvenir hunt before their return to their respective countries. The transactions will flare a new hope and enthusiasm for the recovery of these sectors after lacking buyers within the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“For the past two months, our store has recorded an increase in foreign and local tourist visits. They bought things from our store and it becomes busy again. It makes us optimistic that Bali can revive,” said Assistant Manager of Krisna souvenir shop at By-Pass Road, Kadek Bhuana, when meeting with the G20 Communications and Media Team. He considered Indonesia’s G20 Presidency a momentum. Visits of the G20 delegates to Bali for the G20 events in the last few months were a blessing. Moreover, Krisna souvenir shop is one of the souvenir providers on the list of recommendations for the G20 delegates.

Bhuana said the store had a strict inspection from security officers before welcoming delegates’ visit. The security officers stated that the store was safe and comfortable for the delegates to shop for souvenirs.

For almost two years, Bali received no foreign tourist arrival due to the impact of the pandemic. The pinnacle of Indonesia’s presidency at the G20 Summit becomes a source for optimism for souvenir provider businesses.

Barong T-shirt

A variety of items are available in almost all gift shops, including crafts, food, and beverages. However, the Barong T-shirt from Gianyar Regency is one of the favorite souvenirs for tourists.

This colorful collarless shirt with the image of a barong (a panther-like creature and character in Balinese mythology) head is the flagship of Balinese souvenirs at several outlets. The production house of thousands of barong t-shirts begins production again to supply to souvenir shops.

Ni Wayan Erni Lestari, a supplier of barong shirts from Gianyar, admitted that she is overwhelmed with the orders. "I'm excited and astungkara (hopefully) it remains a favorite souvenir from Bali," she said.

In addition to barong shirts, some food and beverages also attract tourists. For example, milk pie, pia, peanuts, arabica and robusta ground coffee, and coffee beans are on the top list at gift shops. Also, souvenirs in the form of paintings and knick-knacks from bamboo.

"We always check their availability so we don't disappoint the guests from out-of-stock items," explained Bhuana.

Spirit of SMEs

Meanwhile, Zian, from the Keben Bali business, claimed to have received orders for 700 keben (a cube-shaped woven bamboo). The order was from one of the hotels in Nusa Dua where the G20 delegates stayed.

“I’m happy to enjoy the benefit from the G20 activities. You see, I haven't received any order for a long time due to the pandemic," said Zian.

Keben has various sizes. It is commonly used by local Balinese people to put offerings in the form of food brought to the temple, or to store other items.

Later, keben began to vary in size, color, and decoration. Zian has received an order for colorful 24- centimeter size keben.

According to Zian, the customer uses keben for storing food. In addition to the woven bamboo keben, he has received an order for stainless-carved keben.

On a separate occasion, Professor of Cultural Sciences at Udayana University Dharma Putra admitted that the G20 Presidency has become a hope and the door leading to the revival of Bali tourism. He also believed that Balinese people are willing to work hard for the smoothness and success of the G20 Summit.

Whatever is the outcome of the upcoming G20 Summit for the Balinese, it will have a positive impact on the sustainability of life and prosperity in the future, said Putra.

About #G20Updates:

Various communication products which are prepared by the G20 Communications and Media Team. It is aimed at providing comprehensive information regarding preparations and issues related to the G20 Summit held in Bali, Indonesia on November 15-16, 2022.

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Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).

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