By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Nov 29 — Hosting a biennial symposium, introducing a Care Economy Day, and establishing a dedicated task force are just among dozens of strategies outlined by the state government to drive Selangor’s ambitions of becoming a leading care economy hub.
These initiatives form part of the five key thrusts detailed in the newly launched Selangor Care Economy Policy (DEPNS) 2024-2030, aimed at achieving both short- and long-term visions in the sector.
According to the document, the five strategic thrusts are advocacy and promotion, governance and regulation, trained caregivers and workforce, investment and collaboration, and innovation, technology and data.
Under the first thrust of advocacy and promotion, a national or international conference or symposium on the care economy will be organised by the state once every two years, managed by the State Economic Planning Unit and Wanita Berdaya Selangor.
Selangor also plans to introduce an annual Selangor Inclusive Care Economy Day (HEPI) with different themes each year, featuring activities including religious talks, article publications, and documentary programmes.
Separately, the state plans to conduct roadshows and a Care Economy Carnival to showcase institutions and entrepreneurs involved in the sector in Selangor.
The relevant state agencies and organisations will also prepare reference documents and media to facilitate advocacy activities, conduct townhalls with community leaders and social activists to discuss localised care economy, and offer research grants.
Under the governance and regulation thrust, Selangor is looking to establish a task force to conduct reviews and formulate laws deemed relevant. It also seeks to improve the evaluation system for care centres.
Among the key initiatives under the third thrust of trained caregivers and workforce include the introduction of transportation services to care centres, activity hubs, and mobile hospitals or clinics for target groups via the state’s demand responsive transit (DRT) service as well as in collaboration with e-hailing companies operating in Selangor.
"Other measures include providing subsidies for individual care devices and aids for the elderly and disabled, as well as expanding the scope of existing childcare, elderly, and disabled care allowances to encompass half-day, daily, or short-term care services,” the DEPNS document stated.
Additionally, through the policy, the Selangor government intends to empower state constituency service centres to act as frontliners to serve those requiring care services, while more schools will offer care economy activities and clubs in their curriculums.
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (centre) waves the national flag with students from Sekolah Bukit Rimau, Klang, during the launch of the Jalur Gemilang campaign at the Selangor Penyayang Roadshow, Gombak, on July 31, 2022. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Investing, innovating
Under the investment and collaboration strategic thrust, several key initiatives have been outlined to empower entrepreneurs involved in the care economy sector.
Among other things, priority will be given to these entrepreneurs to access financing and mentorship under the state’s existing schemes, including the Selangor Innovation Fund, the Selangor Accelerator Programme, the Hijrah Selangor scheme, and the Selangor Micro Entrepreneur Fund.
Investors and operators in the care economy sector will also benefit from various incentives, including reductions in land tax or assessment rates, and discounts on water utility charges and land lease.
Additionally, eligible capital expenditures for approved new projects involving private medical and healthcare centres that meet international standards will qualify for the Federal government’s Investment Tax Allowance (ITA) for a period of five years.
"The care economy will be positioned as one of Selangor's core investment clusters to attract services and manufacturing companies.
“This initiative aims to transform Selangor into a global care economy hub while enhancing the social impact of investments through formats including foreign direct investment (FDI), venture capital, angel investors, zakat, and waqf contributions,” it stated.
The state also encourages its subsidiaries and private companies operating in Selangor to voluntarily introduce paid care leave of at least 14 days per year for employees to care for sick children or parents and implement flexible working arrangements where appropriate.
Separately, Selangor aims to establish the Tabung Ehsan Penjagaan, a welfare fund based on crowdfunding and corporate philanthropy, to generate additional financial resources for state government programmes supporting the care ecosystem.
Under the final thrust of innovation, technology, and data, focus will be given on enhancing data accessibility and utilisation by developing a comprehensive analytical, exploration, and observation portal, with features tailored to meet evolving needs.
Digital applications managed by the state government and its agencies will be designed to be disabled people-friendly by incorporating enhanced accessibility features.
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Senior citizens and residents of Rumah Jubeli Perak King George V in Pudu celebrate Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur on February 1, 2022. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
