IPOH: Batik tanah liat or clay batik will be introduced as one of the city's niche products, says mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.
He said this form of batik would be rebranded as Batik Perak and be promoted at an international trade exhibition that would be held at the Indera Mulia Stadium from Aug 1 to 4.
"We want to introduce the batik as a new art form, and to penetrate the market in the Asian region," he said at a press conference after launching the Ipoh City of Music mural at Lorong Seni@Lorong Panglima here on Saturday (July 27).
"There are about 12 batik centres in the city. We will work hard to promote them," he said.
"There will also be a special booth to promote our batik at the exhibition whereby visitors can learn more about it there," he added.
Batik tanah liat uses a clay-based resistance technique instead of the conventional hot candle wax method for the batik-making process.
As for the international trade exhibition, it is jointly organised by the Ipoh City Council and Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
It is meant to attract entrepreneurs and business groups from China to invest and establish businesses in Malaysia, particularly in Ipoh.
Separately, Rumaizi said since being recognised as a "City of Music" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (Unesco) Creative Cities Network (UCCN) last year, it has been easier for Ipoh to be promoted in other countries.
"We have been invited to promote our culture in Hanoi Vietnam in September this year. We currently have representatives at the Makassar International Eight Festival (F8) and Forum in Indonesia to promote our products and culture," he said.
