SHAH ALAM, Nov 13 — Selangor is aiming to host SIBS@ASEAN in a different country every year for the next decade, in line with its vision of positioning itself as the gateway to ASEAN, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
When tabling the 2027 Selangor Budget at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly here today, he said SIBS has been enthusiastically received by industry players in the state and across the country since it was launched 10 years ago.
SIBS@ASEAN is the regional edition of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS).
“This initiative began this year with the first edition of SIBS@ASEAN, held in Bandung.
“It was an opportunity to promote investment prospects in Selangor to international companies while also opening doors for Selangor-based firms to expand their networks abroad,” he added.
For companies considering setting up shop in Selangor, Amirudin said Invest Selangor Bhd offers a soft-landing programme that absorbs some initial costs to facilitate the startup process.
“We also offer a lab partnership programme that provides access to laboratory space, equipment, consulting services, student support, technical training, and research facilities. Sixteen companies have benefited from this initiative to date,” he said.
Amirudin explained that Selangor’s economy will focus on the electrical and electronics, transport equipment, machines and machinery, and life sciences sectors: areas that hold significant potential are still not fully explored.
He said both local and international investors interested in establishing or expanding their businesses in Selangor have four primary locations to choose from:
Integrated Development Region in South Selangor (IDRISS), a 66.24sqkm site with nine approved projects
Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA), which has a comprehensive focus on the agriculture and tourism sectors
Selangor Maritime Gateway Economic Development Zone (SMG ZPE), which spans Sungai Klang
Beringin Hi-Tech Auto Valley in Serendah, which clusters automotive industry activities such as vehicle manufacturing and rail maintenance
Beyond providing investment sites, Amirudin said the state government also recognises the need to provide a workforce to meet the demand for skilled labour from companies and investors looking to establish a presence in Selangor.
“We will be able to provide sufficient local expertise to seize coming jobs. This is the objective of the Selangor Career Outreach Programme (SCOUT), organised as part of (SIBS), with a specific focus on the five key sectors I mentioned earlier,” he said.
Over the past two years, Amirudin said 1,872 graduates and trainees have participated in SCOUT, and that the state government through Invest Selangor will launch the SCOUT Talent Expo and SCOUT Skills Enhancement Programme next year.
“These initiatives will bring graduates, companies, and the workforce together on a single platform to address the challenges of skills mismatch and employment opportunities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation), or MBI, will strengthen efforts to complete the 889km fibre optic network across the state under the Selangor Dark Fibre Master Plan, with an allocation of RM4 million next year.
“This will establish a digital corridor capable of generating up to RM196 million in state revenue over a five-year period, while enhancing digital connectivity statewide,” he added.
