KUCHING: The Sarawak Design Week 2023 programme is a platform for the state’s aspiration to produce more value-added products for the export market.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the initiative is poised to boost the state’s annual export earnings from the present RM4 billion to RM8 billion by 2030.
“Malaysia contributes about RM12 billion a year, while Sarawak contributes less than RM100 million a year.
“The global market value of furniture was estimated at USD$557 billion in 2022 and is expected to increase every year to reach the forecasted value of approximately USD$651 billion by 2027.
“Therefore, the Sarawak Design Centre (SARADEC) is expected to continue to play its role in improving the ability and capacity of young designers by continuing strategic collaboration with higher education institutions and research institutes at the local and international levels,” he said.
He was speaking during the Sarawak Design Week 2023 dinner at the Borneo Convention centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday (Feb 13).
Adding on, he said furniture products and the industry are dynamic like fashion, therefore designers need to be agile, creative and innovative to ensure product durability in line with current trends in the global market.
“Also in line with this requirement, the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) has embarked on a furniture design programme through Kursi PUSAKA in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
“Furthermore, STIDC also collaborates with Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and the timber industry to implement the Sarawak young designers’ programme (SayD’signers) to develop and groom young designers from our local universities,” he said.
He hoped that this strategic effort will further enhance capacity and capability of the state’s furniture industries by creating its own designs and brands of furniture products from Sarawak.
Meanwhile, SARADEC chairman Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had suggested that the programme should be held annually.
“He (Abang Johari) whispered to me that this programme is interesting and plans to hold it every year.
“In fact, he said that he will allocate funds to hold the programme again,” Noraden said.
Earlier, Abang Johari launched the Sarawak Design Week, an exhibition related to furniture design and home decoration to fashion and handicrafts.
The four-day programme which will last until Feb16 aims to highlight the importance of design, and to create a design hub and Sarawak’s brand image, thus attracting buyers and potential collaborations.
