KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — The Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026 concluded yesterday with a broader focus on investment, emerging industries and talent development, reflecting the state’s ambitions to become a regional business hub serving ASEAN.
Held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from October 14 to 17, the 10th edition of the summit brought together businesses, investors, industry leaders and policymakers through exhibitions, conferences and business-matching programmes under the theme “The Definitive Gateway to ASEAN”.
Invest Selangor Bhd chief executive officer Dato’ Hasan Azhari Idris said the summit recorded RM3.7 billion in potential transaction value during its first three days, with further transactions still being tallied.
He said Invest Selangor was still compiling data on additional transactions and business engagements, adding that he was optimistic the summit would meet its RM8 billion target.
The figure is part of SIBS’ broader effort to connect investors with business opportunities in Selangor and the wider region, while supporting the state’s ambition to achieve RM600 billion in economic value and RM330 billion in investments by 2030 under the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2).
The four-day summit also continued to build on its international outreach, including through SIBS@ASEAN, which was held in Bandung, Indonesia, on July 9 and 10 to strengthen business links and facilitate cross-border partnerships.
Plans are already underway for next year's SIBS@ASEAN, with the Philippines and Cambodia being considered as a host nation.
Emerging industries
Beyond investments, this year’s summit placed greater emphasis on emerging industries, including semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, industrial technology and the care economy.
The Selangor International Care Expo (SICE) 2026, one of the summit’s components, recorded RM7.8 million in indicated investment potential through 128 business-matching sessions. Six memoranda of understanding were also signed during the expo.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said the care economy is an emerging sector that Selangor aims to develop into a regional hub serving ASEAN.
SICE brought together more than 30 exhibitors across areas such as elderly care, childcare, disability support, assistive technology and caregiver services. Its programme also produced five key resolutions covering care financing, care enterprises, workforce development, technology and artificial intelligence, and innovation in care services.
The focus on emerging industries was also reflected in the Selangor Techsphere Summit (STS), which showcased technologies and solutions for digital transformation, automation and advanced manufacturing.
Participating companies included Google Malaysia, Festo, BMW Group Malaysia and Weidmüller. The summit received a positive response, with exhibitors expressing interest in securing larger exhibition spaces for next year’s event.
Meanwhile, the Selangor AI & Semiconductor Summit (AiSEM) focused on the semiconductor and integrated circuit industries, bringing together more than 140 technology exhibitors, including SanDisk, Nexperia, Oppstar, SkyeChip and GreatAsic.
The programme provided a platform for industry players to showcase technology, explore business opportunities and discuss the development of high-value activities within the semiconductor supply chain.
Another component, the Selangor Investment and Industrial Park Expo (SPARK), showcased industrial parks and investment opportunities involving Malaysian developers and agencies, including NCT, PKNS, Sime Darby and EcoWorld, alongside industrial estate representatives from Indonesia and the Philippines.
The summit also sought to connect investment ambitions with workforce development through the Selangor Career Outreach (SCOUT) programme, which offered 10,000 job opportunities across about 2,000 job categories.
Held over three days, the initiative brought together more than 140 companies and attracted job seekers looking to access employment opportunities across various industries. It was supported by the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) and the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM).
The talent initiative complemented SIBS’ broader focus on ensuring that the state’s investment growth is supported by a workforce equipped to meet industry needs.
Other flagship programmes included the Selangor ASEAN Business Conference (SABC), which discussed ASEAN’s growth prospects, youth empowerment and talent development, and the Selangor Investment Forum (SIF), which highlighted investment-ready projects, the proposed Kita Selangor Rail Line and the state’s green economy agenda.
SIBS 2026 also saw the launch of a talent-availability report, an investment promotion booklet and Preferred Industrial Park certificates, aimed at supporting investment promotion and strengthening the state’s industrial ecosystem.
The summit featured more than 500 booths and international participation from countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Germany, the United States, China, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Vietnam.
It also hosted 188 speakers across nine specialised conference programmes, alongside 110 participants in its delegates programme.
Its international engagement builds on the momentum of SIBS 2025, which closed with RM8.17 billion in potential transaction value.
