Gateway to opportunities in Asean

SELANGOR International Business Summit (SIBS 2022) is all set to help entrepreneurs and manufacturers explore their potential in business and serve as a springboard into the broader Asean market.

Organised by Invest Selangor Bhd, the sixth edition of the state's biggest business summit will be held from Oct 6 to 9 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

SIBS 2022 will feature several main events – Selangor International Expo (SIE) 2022 F&B; SIE 2022 Medic; Selangor Industrial Park Expo (Spark 2022); Selangor Asean Business Conference (SABC 2022); Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC 2022); and Selangor R&D and Innovation Expo (SRIE 2022).

Selangor industry and trade committee chairman Datuk Teng Chang Khim said they were targeting RM350mil of potential negotiated sales from the 30,000 expected trade visitors.

SIBS 2021 recorded RM217.6mil of potential negotiated sales, nearly reaching the sales record set by SIBS 2019 (RM247mil).

So far, 40% of the expected participants have registered. The summit will feature 850 booths.

Teng said about 20% of the exhibitors were expected from abroad.

"In view of the reopening of national boundaries, I believe more international traders and exhibitors will join this year," he told a press conference before the "Invest Selangor Aidilfitri Business Networking 2022" event held at MBSA Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor.

"We also have business-matching sessions and special programmes for buyers, including incentives for those who travel to Malaysia," he said.

"We are focusing on the physical aspect although the summit will be held in a hybrid mode.

"I invite entrepreneurs and manufacturers to get more information via www.selangorsummit.com and see how SIBS 2022 can be an opportunity for them to expand their businesses into the region."

Asked on new ideas planned for this year, Teng said the focus was on smart cities.

"We are trying to gather mayors from different parts of this world, especially this region, to share their experience and provide insight in developing their smart cities.

"This is because there is no definite definition of a smart city. Every city will do what is necessary to meet its needs and we are looking for new ideas and innovations."

Teng added that SIE F&B would focus on food and beverage products and services, including processing and packaging while SIE Medic would gather leading players from the diagnostic, healthcare, pharmaceutical, hospital and rehabilitation equipment sectors.

Meanwhile, Spark 2022 will showcase internationally acclaimed industrial park developers based in Selangor.

It will house players from the whole ecosystem such as planning consultant firms, technical agencies, local councils and financial institutions.

SABC 2022 will feature a one-day conference on topics such as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), digitalisation, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in the Asean perspective.

Meanwhile, SDEC 2022 will gather industry leaders, academics as well as small and medium enterprises to delve into the mechanics of existing and future smart cities, and digital economy frameworks and solutions.

SRIE 2022 will focus on quality research and development.

Teng said SIBS 2022 would include parallel events such as the Selangor International Culinary Festival 2022, which will be jointly organised with the Professional Culinaire Association.

Invest Selangor Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris said, "SIBS can be the key global trading hub initiative by Selangor to assist not only exporters and manufacturers from Selangor but also from other states and regional players to restart their business in the region."

Hasan said SIBS provided networking opportunities to all participants across multiple sectors to meet and collaborate, using Selangor as the gateway to Asean.