KUCHING: Sarawak has the potential to become a regional hub for furniture and timber industries through education and the creative industries.
ArcRadius Consulting Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Prof Ian Davies @ Iskandar Abdullah said in Singapore and Thailand, the National Design Centres have acted as a magnet, to both attract international creative talent and promote the very best products and services from each country.
“Therefore, Sarawak Design Centre (SARADEC) can deliver the same promise, acting as the creative centre for the development of the furniture, timber based craft industries in Sarawak, thereby driving the economic transformation of Sarawak by design,” he said in his presentation entitled ‘Design for Tomorrow, Driving the Economic Transformation of Sarawak by Design’.
The presentation is part of the Sarawak Design Week which was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), Monday (Feb 13).
He added that a regional hub for Asean in the furniture and timber industries could be similar to the furniture industry in Italy where the city Udine has been known as the ‘chair capital of Europe’ since the 15th century.
However, having been the chief judge for Malaysia International Furniture Fair (MIFF) for six years, he said he could see that the Malaysian furniture industry was falling behind its regional competitors, in the growth of export sales.
“Malaysia will never be the cheapest, but it can offer the very best value for money to the international market, through design, innovation and a focus on great service and customer satisfaction.
“Good design is a good business … therefore, design is not just about aesthetics, although it is equally important. It it about solving problems and meeting customer needs and satisfaction,” he added.
Ian has built companies from start ups to international brands across ten countries in Europe and now Malaysia in the furniture and design industries.
He has led design teams in creating the interiors for the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Subang Skypark and numerous corporate offices.
