Sarawak Premier to launch APACE 2026, positioning state as Asia Pacific aerospace hub

KUCHING (Jan 7): Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will launch the inaugural Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference & Exhibition 2026 (APACE 2026), scheduled from Jan 27 to 29 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.

The event marks a significant milestone for Sarawak, positioning the state as an emerging aerospace and aviation hub in the Asia Pacific region.

Organised jointly by the State Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) and Borneo Business Connect Sdn Bhd, with support from Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), APACE 2026 will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and global players to foster collaboration, innovation, and talent development in the aerospace sector.

Abang Johari said the event reflects Sarawak’s strategic focus on leveraging its geographic advantage to strengthen the state’s role in the regional aerospace value chain.

“Sarawak wants to position itself as a regional hub for aerospace, particularly in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and aerospace component manufacturing. Talent development is key,” he said.

State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn highlighted that APACE 2026 aligns with the state’s long-term development agenda.

The event will feature more than 60 speakers from leading international, regional, and local organisations, including Novaspace, NACO, NAICO, Malaysia Airports, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Siemens AG, Turkish Aerospace, PwC, Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), Sarawak Skills, Centexs, SpaceIn Sdn Bhd, and i-CATS.

Confirmed speakers include Laurence Lagriffoul of Novaspace; NAICO region manager Joeri Aulman; NAICO chief executive officer Prof Dr Shamsul Kamar Abu Samah; Takehiro Nakamura of JAXA; Sarawak Skills executive director Hallman Sabri; Centexs deputy director Dr Dayang Hanani; Ir Bonaventure of Siemens AG; and MYSA director general Dato Azlikamil.

APACE 2026 is expected to attract over 3,000 visitors, 1,000 delegates, 50 exhibitors, and feature 50 conference sessions, with 12 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) anticipated to support the growth of Sarawak’s aerospace industry.

The organisers aim to work closely with the Sarawak government and industry partners to ensure the successful delivery of APACE 2026, generating long-term value for Sarawak and the wider regional aerospace community.

For registration, exhibition bookings, or sponsorship enquiries, visit www.aerospaceapac.com, email [email protected], or contact +6082 555189.