GAFA 2026 Strengthens Malaysia’s Built Environment Ecosystem Through Landmark Co-location

The road to International Construction Week (ICW), BuildXpo Malaysia and Glasstech Asia & Fenestration Asia (GAFA) 2026 gathered momentum this week, as industry leaders and stakeholders came together at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, ahead of the major industry gathering taking place from 10–12 November 2026. 

Held under the theme “Beyond Limits”, the ICW & BuildXpo Malaysia and ICTC 2026 Preview brought together representatives from government, industry, associations and media to share the direction of this year’s programme and the opportunities ahead for Malaysia’s construction and builtenvironment sector. 

Among those present were Sr Ahmad Farrin Mokhtar, Chief Executive of CIDB Malaysia; Richard Teo, Executive Chairman of Qube Integrated Malaysia; and Annie Suwapit, Project Manager of GAFA 2026, alongside other industry stakeholders. 

This year’s edition will see GAFA co-located with ICW & BuildXpo Malaysia for the first time, bringing the glass, façade and fenestration industries closer to the wider construction ecosystem at MITEC.

Bringing the Glass and Construction Industries Together 

The addition of GAFA marks a significant expansion of the industry offering this November, connecting construction technologies, machinery, materials and digital solutions with glass, windows, façades and building-envelope technologies. 

Speaking at the Preview, Richard Teo, Executive Chairman of Qube Integrated Malaysia, highlighted the increasing connection between these sectors, particularly as the industry focuses on energy efficiency, building performance, sustainability and smarter design.  

“For us, this collaboration is about creating more value from bringing complementary industries together under one roof,” said Teo.  

Now in its 22nd edition for Glasstech Asia and 9th edition for Fenestration Asia, GAFA brings an established regional platform to Kuala Lumpur, connecting the glass, façade and fenestration industries across Southeast Asia and beyond.  

GAFA 2026 will showcase technologies and solutions spanning glass manufacturing and processing, architectural and high-performance glass, façade and building-envelope systems, windows and doors, machinery, components and related technologies.

A Regional Meeting Point in Kuala Lumpur 

The co-location reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of today’s built environment, where the performance of a building is shaped by how design, engineering, materials, technology, construction practices and sustainability come together. 

Sr Ahmad Farrin Mokhtar, Chief Executive of CIDB Malaysia, reinforced this in his address at the Preview: 

“By bringing these complementary sectors together, we create greater opportunities for cross-sector knowledge exchange, business connections and international collaboration.”  

For GAFA, Kuala Lumpur provides an important gateway to connect its regional and international glass, façade and fenestration community with Malaysia’s construction industry and the wider ASEAN market. 

Annie Suwapit, Project Manager of GAFA 2026, said: 

“The co-location creates an exciting opportunity for us to connect the glass, façade and fenestration community more closely with the wider construction ecosystem. With the support of CIDB Malaysia and our growing network of industry associations and partners across Asia, we look forward to bringing the regional industry together in Kuala Lumpur to discover new solutions, exchange knowledge and build meaningful business connections.” 

GAFA 2026 is strengthened by a growing network of industry associations, including the Singapore

Glass Association (SGA), Malaysia Glass Association (MGA), Safety Glass Processors Association of Malaysia (SGPAM) and Pertubuhan Ikhtisas Façade Malaysia (PIFM), together with industry associations and partners from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

This regional network extends GAFA’s reach across Asia, connecting manufacturers and technology providers with architects, façade consultants, engineers, contractors, glass processors, fabricators, developers and other built-environment professionals, while supporting growing opportunities in sustainable construction, digitalisation and modern building technologies. 

The wider ICW & BuildXpo Malaysia 2026 programme will further expand the visitor experience with the AsiaConstruct Conference, BAMBuilDs’26 Talk & Dialogue, Global Opportunities Seminar and Impact Change Through Construction (ICTC) Conference, alongside The Build Series, featuring technical insights, innovation showcases and thought-leadership discussions. New initiatives including Build ProPass and Build360 will further connect conferences, exhibitions, business opportunities and professional development across the three-day event. 

Together, GAFA, ICW and BuildXpo Malaysia will bring the construction, glass, façade and fenestration industries together at MITEC from 10–12 November 2026, creating a regional meeting point for knowledge exchange, cross-sector collaboration and new business opportunities. 

More Than an Exhibition

Beyond the exhibition floor, GAFA 2026 will feature a three-day conference and networking programme, bringing together architects, consultants, manufacturers, industry associations and technical experts to exchange perspectives on developments shaping the future of glass, façades and the built environment. 

Discussions will explore sustainable and high-performance façades, tropical building design, BIM and digital construction, energy efficiency and emerging building technologies, complemented by business matching and networking opportunities designed to encourage new partnerships across the region. 

From discovering new glass and façade technologies to meeting regional decision-makers, exchanging ideas with industry experts and developing new partnerships, GAFA 2026 will provide multiple ways for the industry to connect, learn and do business.

Visitor registration for GAFA 2026 is now open. Architects, façade consultants, engineers, contractors, developers, glass processors and fabricators, manufacturers, distributors and other builtenvironment professionals are invited to join the industry in Kuala Lumpur this November. 

Glasstech Asia & Fenestration Asia 2026 

10–12 November 2026 

Hall 4, MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

Register to visit GAFA 2026