By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, July 29 – The First Series of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2024 was a huge success, with participants calling the targeted approach conducive to securing more business transactions and leads, said state executive councillor for trade, investment and mobility Ng Sze Han.
Ng said feedback from trade participants and attendees of the event showed the state has a clear objective — to facilitate better overall business engagement.
“For this first series of SIBS, we aimed for a more targeted and focused approach, and it was evident in the profile of exhibitors and visitors. Both groups were very specific and purposeful in their participation.
“Many visitors came with clear objectives and knew exactly what they wanted to see. In my conversations with industrial developers here, they expressed great satisfaction with the outcomes of these three days. They received numerous potential inquiries and even closed sales during the exhibition.
“Compared to last year’s hectic schedule, this year’s calmer, more focused environment allowed exhibitors to have more meaningful interactions with visitors.
“The targeted approach gave exhibitors ample time to explain their products in detail to potential customers, resulting in positive engagement for all involved,’’ he told Selangor Journal following the conclusion of the First Series of SIBS 2024 on Saturday afternoon.
The Selangor Asean Business Conference and Selangor Investment Industrial Park Expo were held concurrently during this leg of SIBS, with an emphasis on serious trade attendees.
[caption id="attachment_365830" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
State executive councillor for trade, investment and mobility Ng Sze Han speaks to the media at the First Series of the Selangor International Business Summit 2024, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, on July 27, 2024. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Trade participants included the investment arms of other states in the country, industrial developers, and trade representatives from other Asean countries.
This is the first time in its eight-year history that SIBS is being held in two editions, with the second series of the trade expo to be held in October.
Ng said the first leg was instrumental in promoting Selangor as the gateway to Asean.
The state administration, said Ng, intends to leverage this factor and attract more participation from other Asean nations for next year’s edition, in tandem with Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship then.
“While the participation from Asean nations was somewhat limited this year, it is just the beginning. We invited local producers from other Asean countries to participate, though on a smaller scale.
“However, this is a good starting point as we gear up for next year, when we become Asean chair. Our future events will incorporate more Asean elements, preparing us to host a more inclusive and expansive exhibition,’’ he said.
Similarly, Ng reiterated the state’s openness to having other states participate in SIBS, saying it is important for all involved to promote cross-border trade.
“This year, only Penang and Johor didn’t participate, but other states sent their investment arms to SIBS. We do not see this as a competition or rivalry.
“We invited other states to collaborate, as we believe that by joining forces, we can better promote Malaysia as a whole. Each state has its strengths and weaknesses, and by working together, we can complement each other,’’ he said.
