KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — The Philippines and Cambodia are being considered for the regional edition of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS@ASEAN) next year, as the state seeks to expand its regional business network and create more opportunities for local companies to grow internationally.
State executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han said Invest Selangor Bhd is evaluating both markets to identify opportunities for bilateral trade and business expansion.
“Our team at Invest Selangor is actively conducting a deep-dive evaluation across several key target markets for SIBS@ASEAN 2027, such as the Philippines or Cambodia,” he said.
Speaking at the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) appreciation dinner at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today, Ng said the initiative would help local businesses establish stronger regional connections and explore new markets.
“This initiative will unlock bilateral trade pathways, open new horizons for our homegrown enterprises and deepen Selangor’s strategic integration with Cambodia and the Philippines,” he said.
Ng added that Selangor started expanding its regional presence this year by holding the first SIBS@ASEAN in Bandung, Indonesia, and that the state aims to build on the summit’s first decade, which focused on putting Selangor’s on the regional map, by strengthening its presence across Southeast Asia over the next 10 years.
“Our challenge in the next 10 years is to (bring) Selangor out of ASEAN if we are serious about achieving our goal of being a model state in Southeast Asia,” he said.
Ng said Selangor will explore opportunities beyond major regional capitals, including secondary cities with potential for business growth and collaboration, adding that expanding local companies’ networks would help them compete with leading businesses across Southeast Asia while creating higher-paying jobs for Selangor youth.
He also confirmed that next year’s SIBS would be held from October 21 to 24, 2027, and invited industry partners, investors and stakeholders to participate.
He said the summit’s decade demonstrated the importance of sustained partnerships in navigating global economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and changing trade flows.
“Selangor’s economic resilience has never been built solely on transaction shifts or investment figures. Rather, it is anchored in the enduring people-to-people connections, cross-border trust and collaborative partnership that we have nurtured together over the years,” he said.
SIBS 2026, held from October 14 to 17, is the 10th edition of the annual summit. Organised by Invest Selangor and hosted by the Selangor government, it gathers businesses and investors to explore investment opportunities and strengthen economic partnerships.
