By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, Oct 14 — Digitalisation is the key to re-energise economic activities, which was said to have helped many entrepreneurs and the general public in adjusting with the new normal, says Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
The Selangor Menteri Besar cited the use of communication technology and the digital marketplace as an example that could accelerate the economic recovery faster than expected during the earlier days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Over the period of the movement control order, Selangor had taken several digitalisation initiatives that have enabled entrepreneurs and the general public in the state to re-start their new way of living under this ‘new norms’.
“The conversion into the Virtual Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) is also another digitalisation initiative that we undertake to ensure the line of communication remains open despite the closure of our national borders,” said Amirudin in his officiating speech at the opening of the Virtual SIBS and the Virtual Selangor Asean Business Conference (SABC) 2020, which was held online, today.
Amirudin said the collective effort of the state government’s forward-thinking and dedication to continue offering networking and engagement opportunities for manufacturers, policymakers, exporters and importers for those in Selangor as well as in the region has contributed to the successful adaptation from a physical to a virtual business summit this year
He said SIBS has made its mark as a regional summit attracting its own tens of thousands of followers and attendees since it first began in 2017.
“This migration into a virtual one is very timely to ensure that the globalisation and trade initiative of the state will inspire the new way of doing business and build a brighter tomorrow, today.
“Positioned as the ‘Gateway to Asean’, the state government has invested significantly in initiatives such as SIBS to showcase Selangor as a premier regional economic, industrial and business hub.
“I sincerely hope that all of you will benefit from SIBS. Offering a bigger and longer access up until October 2021, Virtual SIBS will enable you to tap into various opportunities that were originally developed for an onsite experience, in a more convenient way, where everyone can access from the comfort of their own home,” said Amirudin.
The SIBS 2020 was launched today and will run from October 14 to 17, and offers three main components — Selangor International Expo, Selangor Asean Business Conference and Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention.
Offering borderless opportunities, the Virtual SIBS is bringing together global brands and industry players from around the world to help business players reset and reboot while providing valuable knowledge-sharing, networking and business matching for all trade visitors.
