Bali has enjoyed a 31.03 percent increase in the value of its sculpture exports during January-July 2012, worth US$47.82 million, compared with US$36.49 million during the same period last year.

I Ketut Teneng, a spokesperson for the Bali provincial government, said sculptures and wooden souvenirs were "the dominant commodities among 17 other handicrafts from Bali".

"Commodities in these two categories accounted for 16.89 percent of the total value of Bali′s exports, worth US$283.11 million", he added.

The main export markets for Bali′s wooden handicrafts and sculptures are Japan, the United States, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France and China.

"The export trade figures have been fluctuating because of the current global environment that affects these countries," Teneng noted.

He expressed hope that foreign exchange income from the export of Balinese handicrafts would increase, adding that the quality and design of the products would be determined by market demand.