SHAH ALAM, Oct 12 — The Selangor International Care Expo (SICE) 2026, taking place from Thursday (October 15) to Saturday (October 17), is expected to create opportunities for more service providers to expand the care industry in the state.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said the initiative is important given the growing demand for care services, which remained insufficient, particularly outside Petaling district.
“In Selangor, demand for care services is high as we are moving towards becoming an ageing state, but the supply of such services remains inadequate.
“These services are also still concentrated in Petaling district, while the Northern and Southern Corridors continue to face shortages,” she said on Media Selangor’s 'Bicara Semasa' programme recently.
Anfaal added that SICE 2026, to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, will bring together industry players, service providers, and investors through exhibitions and business-matching sessions.
The platform is also expected to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), non-governmental organisations, and existing service providers expand their operations through new investments and partnerships.
“We also want existing industry players to mentor SMEs or new companies looking to expand,” she said.
The expo will also provide opportunities for international technology collaboration, including a proposed memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Nagoya Institute of Technology concerning the supply of motor-control assistive devices.
“Platforms such as this create opportunities for more technology innovators from both within and outside the country to explore investment and collaboration opportunities,” Anfaal said.
The initiative aligns with the state government’s ambition to establish Selangor as a regional care economy hub that can meet the needs of communities in Malaysia and other Asian countries.
“We want to establish Selangor as a regional care economy hub, not just for Selangor or Malaysia, but also to enable communities across Asia to access care services.
“Through collaborative networks such as these, the potential to expand the care industry becomes much greater,” she said.
Meanwhile, the councillor said that SICE 2026 will not only focus on industry players but also offer members of the public opportunities to learn about care products, technologies, and services suited to their families’ needs.
“Families visiting the expo can find out who can help them and what products they need to care for sick parents at home,” Anfaal said.
SICE 2026, which offers free admission, is part of the programme for the 10th edition of the Selangor International Business Summit.
