Sarawak Pavilion at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona unveils digital roadmap, seals MoUs for AI, tech growth

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, March 3: Sarawak utilises its official pavilion at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona to present a clear and visionary digital transformation roadmap, delivering a direct message to the European market that the State is ready to be a strategic partner in building new global infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) and technology manufacturing.

According to Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Sarawak arrives in Barcelona with its 2030 development plan under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), focused on large-scale renewable energy and industrial hubs positioned to grow alongside international partners.

At MWC 2026, the Sarawak pavilion serves as a strategic platform to showcase the State’s digital ecosystem, investment opportunities, and advancements in smart infrastructure, connectivity, AI, renewable energy, semiconductors, and emerging technologies.

The participation is strengthened through the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Sarawak agencies and global technology partners, including Hewlett Packard (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Huawei, ZTE (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn Bhd, Llamalitica, and Worldsensing, aimed at accelerating knowledge transfer and technology adoption.

Clean and stable energy for data-intensive industries

Energy is now a critical factor shaping the global industrial landscape. Large-scale AI deployment requires stable, competitive, and sufficient electricity, and Sarawak has developed its industrial strategy around this reality.

By 2030, Sarawak is projected to reach an installed capacity of 10 gigawatts, with at least 60 per cent sourced from renewables.

Hydroelectric power, as the backbone of the system, will increase to 4,800 MW, while solar energy is expected to reach 1,500 MW, providing a strong foundation for high-demand industries such as data centers and technology component manufacturing.

Sarawak’s electricity grid operates at reliability levels comparable to advanced economies, with average outages of less than one hour per user per year and fewer than one major disruption annually, critical for industrial operations.

Statewide-scale digital infrastructure

Sarawak approaches digitalisation as a strategic public infrastructure. Expansion of backbone fiber optic networks, the construction of 600 new communication towers under the SMART600 programme, and the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (SRBN) have pushed connectivity levels above 90 per cent in populated areas.

Beyond connectivity, the State is developing an integrated technology governance framework that aligns energy, land planning, industry, and digitalisation, creating a stable environment attractive to investors seeking clear institutional dialogue and efficient project implementation.

Industrial hubs focused on new value chains

The Kuching High-Tech Park (Free Zone) and Samalaju industrial cluster exemplify Sarawak’s strategy, integrating competitive energy, logistics, industrial land, and long-term planning to attract high-tech manufacturing investments and emerging technology supply chains.

The 13MP targets a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of RM282 billion (approximately €53 billion) by 2030, with emphasis in Barcelona on execution to enhance the business environment, accelerate private investment, and facilitate internationally oriented industrial projects.

Talent and sustainability as drivers of competitiveness

Sarawak aims to create over 300,000 new jobs by 2030, with human capital development as a long-term competitiveness pillar.

The State projects that 30 per cent of the workforce will be highly skilled, and 60 per cent of students will pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.

Free higher education at State-owned institutions starting in 2026 supports this strategy, strengthening local capabilities to sustain industrial growth.

Barcelona as a platform for industrial dialogue

Sarawak Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Liwan Lagang highlighted that the global technology industry is entering a phase where energy, digital infrastructure, and stability are as critical as innovation.

It also noted that the production of technology components has become a strategic sector across major Asian hubs, with international competition intensifying to attract investments in data centres and AI-related industrial capacity.

The Mobile World Congress provides a platform for Sarawak to engage with European companies and institutions seeking to diversify supply chains and develop digital economic infrastructure, positioning the state as a reliable partner for large-scale projects. — DayakDaily

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