Premier to launch Sarawak Design Week 2023 at BCCK on Feb 13

Dayang Nena (centre) explaining about the upcoming Sarawak Design Week 2023 at a press conference on Jan 11, 2023 as Saradec chairman Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais (left) and SFIA president Leo Chiang Kok Sze look on.

KUCHING, Jan 30: Sarawak Design Week 2023, a design-led expo bringing together some of the most innovative and creative minds in the design industry and showcasing the latest trends and technologies in architecture, fashion, graphic design, and more, will take place from February 13 to 16, 10am to 6pm at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

According to a press release issued today by Sarawak Design Centre (Saradec), Sarawak Design Week 2023 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 can 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, a crafts pavilion, as well as trade booths on the lower ground floor, where visitors can purchase design products from participating vendors,” the press release stated.

Saradec said there would also be a Speaker Corner where visitors can learn about design from specially invited speakers from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Korea, as well as participate in lucky draws at the end of the day with exciting prizes.

“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 designs, especially the unique design prototypes by our SayD’Signers.

“Saradec, through this inaugural design-led expo, becomes a vehicle to promote our design to the international market,” said Saradec chief executive officer (CEO) Dayang Nena Abang Bruce in the press release, adding that she hopes the event will spur more significant growth in Sarawak’s furniture industry and the timber industry as a whole.

She added that the design week aims to position Sarawak as a design hub in Malaysia.

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 (MTCP) Sarawak as well as the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development (MIED) Sarawak, and supported by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC).

Its strategic partners include the Sarawak Timber Association (STA), the Sarawak Furniture Industry Association (SFIA), the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the Tun Jugah Foundation, Centre of Technical Excellence (Centexs) Commercial, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Kolej Komuniti, Ran and Nong Creations, Dr Dorothy and 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.

Go to sarawakdesignweek.com for more information. — DayakDaily