By Danial Dzulkifly
AS the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) enters its eighth edition this year, it is set to embark on a new chapter with significant changes aimed at fostering greater participation from across Malaysia and the Asean region.
With a more concentrated approach to trade and investment, the Selangor government has strategically decided to divide the summit into two distinct events in 2024 to accommodate the increasing number of traders and visitors.
First launched in 2016, the initiative by Invest Selangor Bhd (Invest Selangor) was introduced to position the state as the gateway to the Asean region and is still holding strong to its goal as it embarks on bigger plans and expansions.
[caption id="attachment_362273" align="alignright" width="401"]
State executive councillor for trade, investment, and mobility Ng Sze Han speaks during an interview with Selangor Journal at Glenmarie Hotel and Golf Resort, Shah Alam, on June 27, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
State executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han said that splitting the trade summit into two events — one in July and the other, October — will ensure better inclusivity for all participants.
Ng said the move was also based on feedback from previous participants who voiced their appreciation for the event but wanted a bigger venue space and coverage.
“We expect to see better content within the events. More discussion and networking opportunities will be created to maximise the investments put into organising each event, as well as the investments made by all our exhibitors.
“In addition, with a more focused and targeted audience tailored to each event, we hope it can generate more business opportunities for all our exhibitors,” he said in a recent interview with Selangor Journal.
[caption id="attachment_331416" align="aligncenter" width="872"]
Visitors thronging through the Halal International Selangor's exhibit during the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2023, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 19, 2023. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Fresh approaches
This year’s summit will feature several key components: the 10th Selangor International Expo Food and Beverage (SIE F&B), the 4th Selangor Life Sciences Convention (SLC), the 4th Selangor Investment and Industrial Park Expo (SPARK), the 8th Selangor Asean Business Conference (SABC), and the 9th Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC).
The SABC and SPARK events will take place from July 25 to 27, while the SIE F&B, SLC, and SDEC events will be held from October 16 to 19.
Ng said that among the major enhancements for SPARK this year would be side programmes, such as the Selangor Investors showcase.
Another feature is a one-stop facilitation session within the exhibition hall where manufacturers and investors can meet local authorities and technical agencies or departments, creating a more engaging experience.
“This approach allows potential investors or interested manufacturers looking to establish their businesses in the state to speak directly with technical officers from the respective local councils, similar to the ‘Hari Bertemu Pelanggan’ (customer meet-and-greet day) concept we’ve held with the public.
“We will also have officers from the town planning and building departments present, along with senior officials, to answer questions directly. It’s essentially a one-stop centre to address any queries they may have,” he said.
This year, Ng said that SPARK would welcome more Southeast Asian countries, fostering a collective approach to drive investment in the Asean region.
Its sister convention, the SABC, will feature prominent speakers, including representatives from Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Ministry, its minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, several Menteris Besar from other states, and representatives from several Asean nations’ business chambers.
“The agenda includes topics such as inter-Asean trade, Selangor’s role as a gateway to Asean, and sustainable investment,” said Ng.
Ng also stated that SDEC will introduce a new session focusing on Selangor’s latest initiative, the Selangor Semiconductor Acceleration and IC Design Park.
“These efforts aim to attract more high-quality attendees to each programme. Previously, we combined the programmes in anticipation of cross-sectoral visitors; for example, trade visitors to SIE F&B might also visit SPARK.
“While the overall visitor numbers were encouraging, they didn’t necessarily translate into the main targeted audience for each specific event.
“By separating the programmes into two sessions, we can focus on bringing trade visitors or buyers to our sector-specific series and potential investors to our investment-specific series.”
As for the SIE F&B conference, Ng said the state government is collaborating with one of its key exhibitors, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, to host a one-day forum on food security.
He said the Selangor International Halal Convention, or Selhac, will also make its debut at this year’s SIBS, with the convention being parked under the SIE F&B 2024, aiming to help local and international companies tap into the halal market in the region.
Among other main features of the summit are three main forums to be held during the SLC sub-convention, including the Selangor Korean Sustainable Futures forum that will discuss agribiotech and related fields.
[caption id="attachment_305488" align="aligncenter" width="980"]
Employees of biotechnology company Etomal displaying cat food products manufactured from the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), during the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur, on October 7, 2022. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Vital global ties
While SIBS stands as Selangor’s flagship investment platform, Ng said the state government is complementing this effort with strategic international trade visits.
He said the trade missions serve a dual purpose of attracting foreign investment and fostering valuable global partnerships.
In the first half of 2024 alone, Selangor’s economic diplomacy involved a series of international ventures across four countries and three continents, in which it showcased its technological innovation and ambition to enhance its semiconductor industry.
For a start, 10 local startups were highlighted, and high-level meetings were held at Taiwan’s Smart City Summit & Expo in March. This was followed by a week-long mission in China in April that involved 21 meetings with companies and public agencies in Shanghai, Suzhou and Shenzhen, aiming to attract Chinese integrated circuit (IC) design firms.
Further expanding its global reach, Selangor’s May visit to Japan focused on market access for startups and mobility solutions in Tokyo and Osaka.
Then in June, the delegation promoted its Semiconductor Hub and upcoming Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) at London Tech Week 2024, followed by discussions with Weeroc in Paris about potential involvement in Malaysia’s future IC Design Park.
“These visits are crucial for attracting cutting-edge technologies and best practices to Selangor.
“They also position us as a prime location for high-value investments while recognising the strengths of our global partners,” said Ng.
[caption id="attachment_331110" align="aligncenter" width="824"]
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari visiting booths at the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2023 in Kuala Lumpur on October 19, 2023. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Growing local talent
Ng said the state’s major initiatives, which include the development of the IC Design Park in Puchong and international trade missions, are part of Selangor’s long-term strategy to boost high-income job creation and elevate living standards for its residents.
Selangor boasts a large pool of graduates and workers, but Ng acknowledged that skill mismatches often occur due to specific certification gaps. To address this, the state government is focusing on targeted talent development programmes.
“Our efforts go beyond just attracting high-value investments. We’re committed to building a talent pool that can meet the demands of these highly-skilled industries.
“The state is planning to assist job seekers through strategic partnerships aimed at upskilling individuals for both low- to mid-skilled roles and high-skilled, high-tech positions,” he said.
Ng said some key initiatives include collaborations with global semiconductor leaders like CMSC Inc. and MaiStorage, which will transfer expertise and knowledge to local engineers through training programmes, workshops, and mentorship.
Similarly, Ng said the Malaysia Semiconductor Accelerator is also a great help to job seekers, as it aims to upskill local talent with professional development and hands-on experience in the semiconductor sector.
Its role is similar to that of the Selangor Digital School, which focuses on high-tech training, aligning curriculum with industry needs, and practical projects to produce job-ready graduates.
The state also promotes innovation by supporting research, development, and entrepreneurial efforts, fostering tech startups and innovation-driven enterprises in Malaysia.
[caption id="attachment_335259" align="aligncenter" width="1037"]
Visitors at the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2023 in Kuala Lumpur on October 22, 2023. —Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
**This article first appeared in the Selangor Journal July 2024 Special Edition, published on July 21, 2024.
