By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — Selangor is taking the lead in the endeavour to facilitate economic recovery and reinvention, not just for the state and nation but also in the Asean region via the Selangor International Business Summit 2022 (SIBS 2022).
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said Asean has the vast potential to lead regional economic recovery, due to its solid fundamentals and its steady progress towards intra and inter-regional economic integration.
“Other major factors which make Asean an attractive trading and investment destination is its young population, resilient economies and growing middle-class. As our major trading partner, Selangor is offering its assistance to interested investors to venture into the Asean market.
“Investors can also benefit from Asean’s trade agreements that are on par with international best practices and are more responsive to regional changes and realities. This is what makes the region robust, progressive and prosperous,” he said in his speech during the opening ceremony of SIBS 2022 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) this morning.
The four-day event was officiated by the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah. Also in attendance was state executive councillor for investment, industry and trade Dato’ Teng Chang Khim.
Amirudin added that being strategically located, Selangor has the geographical advantage to be Asean’s gateway.
“Selangor is also served by two major international airports, the second-busiest container port in the region, multiple advanced domestic rails, developed roads and highways, and air links to economic hubs in Malaysia.
“Additionally, we also have well-established industrial parks, mature supply chains within numerous industries, skilled human capital and Internet connectivity, making Selangor ideal as a global business hub.
“Indeed, Selangor is the best location in the region for international investors who plan to penetrate both the Asean region and international markets,” he said.
With approximately 906 booths from 623 companies, this year’s summit at KLCC will run starting today until Sunday (October 9), with the aim of receiving some 30,000 visitors during its duration.
SIBS 2022 will showcase six main events, including the Selangor International Expo (SIE) Food and Beverages, SIE Medic, Selangor Industrial Park (Spark) Expo, the Selangor Asean Business Conference (SABC), the Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC), and the Selangor Research and Development and Innovation Expo (SRIE).
Three other events will also be held concurrently, including the Selangor International Culinary Festival (SICF), the Selangor International Healthcare Conference (SIHC) and the Asian Smart City Conference: Mayors Summit and Selangor Declaration.
The summit’s international participants hail from 24 nations including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Tajikistan, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Maldives, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and the United States.
Similarly, Federal and state agencies that have set up pavilions at the summit include the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), the Malaysian Cocoa Board, the Malaysia Fishery Department and Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), and 10 pavilions from Selangor, Sabah, Sarawak, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, and Penang.
