State aims to draw EU companies expanding into ASEAN

13 Oct 2026, 7:53 AM
State aims to draw EU companies expanding into ASEAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Selangor is positioning itself as a strategic base for European Union companies seeking to expand into ASEAN, leveraging its industrial ecosystem, trade connectivity, and investment facilitation.

Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari invited European companies to use Selangor as their gateway to the region, emphasising the state’s efforts to help businesses explore regional markets.

“In the first seven months of 2026, Selangor has ranked second in total trade nationwide with growth of 8 per cent.

“This is supported by an international airport, the ports at Klang and rail connectivity with direct access to Malaysia and the wider ASEAN market.

“The session on supply chain and mobility later this morning will explore how we connect Selangor to the world,” he said in his speech at EU-Malaysia Business Day 2026: Selangor in Focus forum at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.

Selangor attracted RM22.1 billion in approved investments from 16 European countries between 2021 and 2025, involving 308 projects that created 12,653 jobs, reflecting growing economic ties between the state and the European Union.

The forum was organised by state investment arm Invest Selangor Bhd, in conjunction with Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS), which will be held from tomorrow to Saturday.

Amirudin highlighted the delegation to SIBS@ASEAN in Bandung, Indonesia, in July, which involved 74 companies and generated RM253.9 million in potential transactions.

He said the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector recorded RM18.2 billion in investments between 2021 and 2025, making it a key contributor to the state’s manufacturing investment performance.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, state executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han, and Invest Selangor Bhd chief executive officer Dato’ Hasan Azhari Idris pose for a group photo, at the launch of the EU-Malaysia Business Data 2026: Selangor in Focus forum at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, on October 13, 2026. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR

Selangor also recorded RM665.4 billion in total trade in 2025, accounting for 17 per cent of Malaysia’s exports and 26.3 per cent of national imports.

He said the state’s industrial capabilities offered further opportunities for European collaboration in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and rail, alongside its established aerospace ecosystem.

“About 68 per cent of Malaysia’s aerospace industry is based in Selangor, making the state a major hub for the sector.

“European companies, including those that have established their ASEAN centres of excellence for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) here, are already part of this ecosystem.

“Nearly the entire national public transport industry was also based in Selangor,” he said.

He added that Selangor aims to deepen its partnerships with EU companies in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, while accelerating digitalisation and green transition, strengthening talent development, and building more resilient and sustainable supply chains.

Amirudin said the state government would continue engaging with European countries to strengthen economic ties and translate discussions into new investment opportunities.

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Media Selangor Sdn Bhd (MSSB), a subsidiary of Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), is the official media agency of the Selangor State Government. In addition to the Media Selangor news portal (formerly known as Selangorkini & Selangor Journal), Media Selangor also publishes newspapers in Mandarin, Tamil, and English.