HISTORY

The handicraft market actually started at the early 70's during the BERJAYA era. By that time it is located at the Kampung Air area in Kota Kinabalu. Then around 1978, it is relocated behind the Bank Negara building where if you look today is the site of the unfinished building between the KK Plaza shopping mall and Sinsuran Complex. The market is then relocated again on the early 80's. This time at the UNHCR building which was once a place to accomodate refugees from The Philippines during the war on southern Philippines on the 70's.

From then on, the market had never relocated again and remain there for more than 15 years now. During the early years, handicrafts from neighbouring countries like The Philippines and Indonesia made up most of the products sold at the market. Then, as time passes by, local handicrafts and also handicrafts products from some other countries are beginning to be seen.

The market has other names actually. Besides the name Pasar Kraftangan (handicraft market), it is also known as Pasar Filipina (Filipino Market) or Pasar UNHCR (UNHCR market) among the locals. Today, the handicraft market has become one the most popularly visited place in Kota Kinabalu city offering a variety of handicrafts from wood carved handicrafts, weaved handicrafts, souvenir T-shirts, pearls and many more.