REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KANDY - Indonesia holds craft workshop on how to make products from coconut shell in Sri Lanka as an effort to improve the relationship and economic cooperation between both countries. The ad interim Charge d`Affaires (KUAI) at the Indonesian embassy in Colombo Albert Abdi said the Sri Lanka's craftsmen would get additional skill.

"They can make some products from coconut shell," he said on Monday, reported by Dyah Ratna Meta Novia from Sri Lanka. 

The workshop is expected to broaden the business network between Indonesian and Sri Lanka craftsmen and also to strengthen bilateral relationship on economy and politic. The Head of Business Service in Smesco Indonesia Company Astika Kasiro said the training was initiated from the visit of Sri Lanka's entrepreneurs to Small Medium Enterprise in Jakarta. They were attracted by coconut shell craft.

Kandy and Negomo have many coconut trees, but they never use the shell. "With this workshop, they can utilize the useless coconut shell," Kasiro said.

The workshop is including the introduction to coconut shell processing machine to make the pattern in the shell. They are also taught on how to color the shell and arrange them to become brooch, necklace, bag, wallet, sandals, key holder, frame, and even furniture.

Kasiro said the coconut shell craft had good prospect in Kandy as the region has many resorts, hotel, restaurants, and artshop. Even in Europe, US, and Asia, the demand for the craft is high.

A craftsman in Sri Lanka, Lalantha, said the workshop was very useful. She will make the crafts from coconut shell, such as tote bags and mat. "My crafts will be sold in artshops in Kandy," she said.

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