KUCHING – Sarawak has reaffirmed its ambition to become a regional leader in aerospace and advanced technology with the official launch of the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition (APACE) 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Tuesday.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak, delivered the keynote address under the theme “Sarawak’s Ascent: Shaping the Future of Aerospace in the Asia Pacific.”
He outlined a clear development roadmap, positioning aerospace and new space sectors as central to the state’s long-term economic transformation under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
The Premier highlighted that aerospace and space technology are foundational pillars critical for enhancing economic competitiveness, ensuring technological independence, and promoting sustainable development.
He noted that APACE 2026 serves as a platform where government policy, industry investment, and educational innovation converge to strengthen regional aerospace capabilities.
“Aerospace and new space are no longer niche or specialist sectors. They have become strategic national industries that will shape the future of nations and regions for generations,” he said.
Sarawak’s strategy is capability-driven and focused on long-term systemic growth rather than short-term gains. Key initiatives include the establishment of the Sarawak Aerospace Advisory Council to coordinate governance across the sector, and the development of educational capacity through the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at i-CATS University College.
The Premier also highlighted practical entry points into the aerospace value chain, such as Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, and the use of small, cost-effective CubeSats for environmental monitoring, disaster management, and natural resource surveillance.
These technologies are high-impact and accessible, enabling Sarawak to develop its own cost-effective, indigenous space capabilities.
In conclusion, the Premier invited ASEAN partners, industry players, academic institutions, and investors to collaborate with Sarawak to build a capable, competitive, and sustainable aerospace and new space economy.
“APACE is significant to ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific,” he said, emphasising that Sarawak’s ambitions align with regional development goals and promote cross-border cooperation.
The launch of APACE 2026 underscores Sarawak’s vision to become a hub for aerospace and new space innovation, demonstrating the state’s readiness to transition from technology consumption to capability development and regional knowledge-driven growth.
Through strategic investment, education, and governance, Sarawak is positioning itself as a leading player in shaping its own economic and technological future, both within the state and across the Asia-Pacific region.
