KUCHING: Diffusion Borneo 2026 is set to return to the city this month, reflecting Sarawak’s regional economic direction in Energy Transition & Security and AgriTech & Bioeconomy.
The event will take place for two days, on June 23 at the Borneo Cultures Museum and at the old courthouse on June 24, which will contribute to the Creative Economy & Sustainable Tourism sector at the same time.
The event is a collaborative effort between Digital Districts, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Sarawak Business Angel Network, and Business Events Sarawak to bring the region’s most ambitious cross-border innovation platform to Kuching.
Organiser and Diffusion founder, Eric Lee, said that the conference is to bridge ecosystems that connect Sarawak’s ambitions with regional and global opportunities.
“The theme for this year is ‘Realms Revealed’ because we want to invite the world to find out for themselves the different opportunities that are available here and to have a strong narrative in which Sarawak can tell the world what we offer,” he said at ICOM Square here today ahead of Diffusion Borneo 2026.
He added that the event will also attract investors, companies and businesses globally that are looking for safe havens and growth regions.
“Within Asia, ASEAN presents a very compelling value proposition of about 45 per cent growth rates, young population and very dynamic ecosystems, in which we need to position Borneo and Sarawak as the next growth engine,” he added.
Lee added that previously they held the event in Penang, and it has sparked interest among investors once they were informed about the landscape there.
“In past events, we brought investors to Penang and after learning about its semiconductor ecosystem during the event, many returned on their own to gain a deeper understanding and explore investment opportunities,” he said.
Diffusion Borneo 2026 also aligns closely with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, aiming to build a thriving society driven by data and innovation while advancing economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social inclusivity.
With the energy transition and renewable energy currently becoming critical national imperatives, Sarawak is well-positioned to lead the narrative and drive the story of the energy transition.
“We ignite investors’ interest and put Sarawak on the map by encouraging them to continue engaging with stakeholders here to pursue future opportunities and further strengthen Borneo’s technology ecosystem,” he said.
Founder and Chairman of iCube, who is also the Chairman of Sarawak Business Angel Network (SBAN), Datuk Patrick Liew, said that the event is an important platform for strengthening these connections across Sarawak and the wider region
“Frontier ecosystems are built through collaboration as much as capital. When founders, industry leaders, institutions and investors work together, they create the conditions for ambitious companies to emerge and scale,” he said.
Following that, he added that the event presents valuable opportunities as well as encourages young people in the region to take part and observe how international companies organise events of this scale, as Sarawak needs more initiatives like this.
“Sarawak needs impact. So, we are inviting experts from around the world to engage with us and show us how we can work together and what opportunities we can offer one another,” he said.
General admission passes are priced at RM199, while a 10-pass bundle is available for RM1,800, offering organisations and groups 10 tickets for the price of nine.
The event will feature confirmed and expected speakers from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Germany and beyond, alongside side activities designed to foster networking among participants.
By fostering entrepreneurship and attracting international participation, the event contributes to Sarawak’s objective of creating high-skilled jobs and nurturing future-ready talent.
