SHAH ALAM, Aug 20 — Selangor will take several small and medium enterprise (SME) owners to China and Japan in September or October to expand their marketing and export opportunities, said state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
He said the programme would involve SMEs with quality products that have potential to be marketed overseas and exported, with the state leveraging the Selangor State Development Corporation’s (PKNS) international connections to help local entrepreneurs access higher-value markets.
He added that the initiative aims to strengthen entrepreneurship development through business matching, training, mentoring and courses by PKNS’ Entrepreneur Development Division.
“Similar programmes have already produced success stories, including Selangor entrepreneurs who managed to sell their perfume products to hotels and retail outlets in Japan,” he told reporters after PKNS’ BizMatch Mega today.
On Bizmatch Mega, Najwan said it has provided more than 1,000 Selangor entrepreneurs with opportunities to meet representatives from government agencies, banks, financiers and federal agencies such as SME Corp and MARA.
“The programme, which PKNS has held since 2023, allows entrepreneurs to explore available financing, incentives and grants without having to approach each agency individually.
“The state is also considering reviving district-level entrepreneur programmes, following a more centralised approach adopted this year due to several major programmes already held,” he said.
Explaining the rationale of renaming Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) to Selangor International Trade Centre (SITC), Najwan said it reflects PKNS’ commitment to position Shah Alam as a global business and trading hub capable of attracting more overseas entrepreneurs, businesses and investors.
