KUCHING: SDRE Connect, a networking and ecosystem builders, has strengthened efforts to position Sarawak as a preferred destination for digital professionals through regional collaboration and ecosystem development.
Held at the Borneo Cultures Museum yesterday (Jun 24), the networking event brought together digital residents, industry players and regional partners to exchange experiences and opportunities.
In its press statement, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) said SDRE Connect created a platform for stakeholders to strengthen the Sarawak Digital Residency Programme.
“SDRE Connect is about bringing the people behind the ecosystem into the same room. By listening to local industry, regional partners and digital residents themselves, we can better understand what makes Sarawak a place where people can live, work, and contribute meaningfully,” it said.
The programme, supported by Diffusion Borneo 2026, featured two panel discussions focusing on ecosystem development, remote work and the digital residency experience.
The first session, titled ‘Ecosystem and Industry Perspective’, featured representatives from MigrateSafe, Remote Work Malaysia, Artem Ventures and Alt_Coliving Chiang Mai.
Drawing perspectives from Sarawak, West Malaysia and Thailand, panellists discussed the role of authorities, communities and industry partners in supporting globally mobile talent.
A second panel explored the experiences of digital nomads and foreign residents living and working in Sarawak, highlighting community integration and practical considerations.
Speakers included Head of the Digital Residency Unit at SDEC, Kamilia Azizi; foreign resident, Michael Lohrum; and DE Rantau Sarawak’s pass holder, Tobias Karlsson.
Discussions underscored that a successful digital residency ecosystem extends beyond immigration facilities to include accommodation, workspaces, professional services and local experiences.
Participants also emphasised the importance of building stronger business networks and fostering meaningful connections between digital residents and local communities.
According to SDEC, SDRE Connect further encouraged regional knowledge exchange by linking Sarawak’s ecosystem with established remote-work communities in West Malaysia and Chiang Mai.
The programme concluded with an open networking session, enabling participants to forge new partnerships and identify future areas for collaboration.
DE Rantau Sarawak represents the first phase of the Sarawak Digital Residency Programme, which aims to attract qualified digital professionals to live, work remotely and contribute to the state’s growing digital economy.
