KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Selangor is strengthening its inclusive and sustainable care economy ecosystem through the Selangor International Care Expo (SICE) 2026, bringing together industry players, government agencies, investors and innovators to explore opportunities for collaboration and sector development.
State executive councillor for social welfare Anfaal Saari said the expo aimed to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders to develop a more structured care industry that meets society's needs.
She said a whole-of-nation approach was essential to elevating and formalising the care economy as a sector with significant growth potential.
"Collaboration between the government, industry players and the community is crucial to developing a more inclusive, structured and sustainable care ecosystem.
"The care economy not only meets society's needs but also creates opportunities for innovation, technological development and economic growth," she said after the launch of SICE 2026 here yesterday.
Themed ‘Experience Care: Discover the Future of Care’, the expo serves as a platform connecting care service providers, healthcare institutions, technology innovators, investors, government agencies and families.
SICE 2026 focuses on five key areas: pregnancy and postnatal care, childcare, care for persons with disabilities, elderly care, and palliative and long-term care.
Anfaal said focusing on these areas was important to ensure care needs at every stage of life were addressed while encouraging the development of services tailored to society's needs.
The expo features four main components: exhibition booths, experiential showcases, business-matching sessions and a digital care expo.
SICE 2026 also saw the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS) and Japan's Nagoya Institute of Technology (NiTech) to strengthen strategic cooperation between the two parties.
In addition, the expo celebrated three winners of the best innovation awards under the Selangor Care Accelerator (XCare) 2026 programme, recognising efforts to develop innovative solutions in the care sector.
SICE 2026 involves 30 sectors, with a total investment value of RM1.07 million, and aims to hold 349 sessions over its three-day run.
The expo also targets 5,000 visitors and the participation of eight major brands and 30 smaller brands, alongside plans for 160 business-matching sessions.
A total of 111 business-matching sessions are scheduled for today, providing opportunities for industry players to establish partnerships and explore potential investments in the care economy.
SICE 2026 is expected to expand collaboration networks among industry players and encourage the development of innovative care solutions, supporting efforts to build a more inclusive and sustainable care economy in Selangor.
