Saradec, ITB Bandung to launch inaugural design expo in S’wak
KUCHING: The inaugural Sarawak Design Week which opens from Feb 13-16, 10am to 6pm at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) will bring together some of the most innovative and creative minds in the design industry.
The design-led expo will showcase the latest trends as well as technologies in architecture, fashion, graphic design, and more.
It will be launched by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, on Feb 13.
The expo’s main showcase will be the SayD’Signers Pavilion where visitors will be able to view ‘bespoke’, ‘boutique’, and ‘solid’ design prototypes by young designers under the SayD’Signers Sarawak programme.
There will also be a section for designs produced under the SayD’Signers Link and Match (SLIM) programme, an international pavilion, kids craft corner, crafts pavilion, as well as trade booths on the lower ground floor, where visitors can purchase design products from participating vendors.
There will also be a Speaker Corner, where visitors will be able to gain knowledge on design from specially invited speakers from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Korea, and lucky draws at the end of the day, with exciting prizes awaiting.
“I am very excited about the Sarawak Design Week 2023 and am looking forward to this event, which we have meticulously planned for since many moons ago. It’s a great platform to showcase our Sarawak design and especially the unique design prototypes by our SayD’Signers.
“Saradec (Sarawak Design Centre), through this inaugural design-led expo, becomes a vehicle to promote our design to the international market. I hope that this event will spur greater growth in Sarawak’s furniture industry specifically and timber industry as a whole,” said Saradec chief executive officer Dayang Nena Abang Bruce in a statement.
“The design week is also aimed at ultimately positioning Sarawak as a design hub in Malaysia,” she added.
Sarawak Design Week 2023 is organised by Saradec and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia, endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) as well as Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development, and supported by Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC).
Its strategic partners include Sarawak Timber Association (STA), Sarawak Furniture Industry Association (SFIA), Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Tun Jugah Foundation, Centexs Commercial, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Kolej Komuniti, Ran & Nong Creations, Dr Dorothy & Group, as well as involvement from the economic, trade and tourism sectors.
Once rolled out, it will be the first home-grown design-led event to be held in Sarawak and is set to be a yearly affair in the state’s calendar of events.
For more information, visit www.sarawakdesignweek.com
“I am very excited about the Sarawak Design Week 2023 and am looking forward to this event, which we have meticulously planned for since many moons ago. It’s a great platform to showcase our Sarawak design and especially the unique design prototypes by our SayD’Signers.
Dayang Nena Abang Bruce