By Yasmin Ramlan
PETALING JAYA, June 25 — The Selangor International Halal Convention (Selhac) will make its first appearance at the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) this year.
State executive councillor for investment, trade, and mobility Ng Sze Han said the convention, now in its third edition, will be held in October as part of SIBS 2024's second series — the first series is scheduled for July.
Selhac will focus on three key areas during the summit: accelerating halal certification for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), optimising halal supply chain logistics, and adopting halal digital innovation.
“Selhac 2024, which is organised by the Halal International Selangor (HIS) Toyyiba, will be held in conjunction with the 10th Selangor International Expo (Food and Beverage) — SIE (F&B),” he said at a press conference after the official launch of the 8th SIBS at the Sheraton Hotel today.
Ng said this year’s SIE (F&B) will also feature its Supermarket Buyers Programme, an initiative that allows exhibitors to access a wider market by placing their products on the shelves of supermarkets and hypermarkets.
[caption id="attachment_361609" align="alignleft" width="392"]
State executive councillor for investment, trade, and mobility Ng Sze Han delivers his speech during the official launch of the 8th Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya, on June 25, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Previously, Selhac was a stand-alone event, attracting some 8,000 visitors last year.
State executive councillor for Islam and innovation Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah, who was also present at today’s launch, said he anticipates the number of Selhac visitors will double this year.
“We expect to achieve over 60 per cent successful market penetration from the 150 companies that are expected to participate in the convention’s business matching sessions,” he said.
Selhac 2024 will feature a range of activities, including booths from over 80 exhibitors showcasing the various value chains within the halal industry, including logistics, digital innovation, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and health, cosmetics and personal care, as well as tourism and hospitality.
Other events include conferences, seminars, forums focusing on the halal industry and business matching sessions to connect local and international players, as well as fostering strategic partnerships.
[caption id="attachment_361612" align="aligncenter" width="822"]
State executive councillor for Islam and innovation Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah (centre left) and state executive councillor for investment, trade, and mobility Ng Sze Han (centre) at the official launch of the 8th Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya, on June 25, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Five main events
For the first time, SIBS will be held on two separate occasions this year, respectively from July 25 to July 27 and October 16to October 19, with the ultimate goal of expanding its reach.
The July edition will feature the 8th Selangor Asean Business Conference (SABC) and the 4th Selangor Investment and Industrial Park Expo (SPARK).
Meanwhile, the October series will focus on three main events: the 10th SIE (F&B), the 4th Selangor Life Sciences Convention (SLC), and the 9th Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC).
Another major convention previously a part of SIBS editions, the Selangor Research, Development and Innovation Expo, is excluded from this year’s summit and will instead be held in a separate event, to be announced later.
On SPARK, Ng said the expo is set to welcome the participation of stakeholders in the industrial park ecosystem, including the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), North Port, and PLANMalaysia, as exhibitors.
[caption id="attachment_361610" align="alignright" width="402"]
State executive councillor for Islam and innovation Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah speaks during a press conference after official launch of the 8th Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya, on June 25, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
“Apart from exhibiting, I am also pleased to announce that Mida will organise its domestic investment and engagement programme, namely the Mida Invest Series: Selangor Edition, in our SPARK Hall on July 25.”
Additionally, Invest Selangor Bhd will conduct its Selangor Investors Session programme throughout SPARK’s three-day run, allowing investors and manufacturers to meet participating local authorities and technical agencies should they have any queries.
SIBS 2024, which will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), not only showcases exhibitors from Selangor but also features from other states in Malaysia as well as other Southeast Asian countries.
Ng also dismissed the notion that the state government sees SIBS as competition between these countries, clarifying instead that Selangor aims to position itself as a gateway to Asean.
“When you invest in Selangor, you invest in Asean.
“This is how we can create a bigger impact because investors are not only looking at the 6.5 or 7 million people in Selangor, but the larger 600 million population in Southeast Asia,” he said.
On his part, Fahmi said this is particularly crucial for the halal industry, allowing it to leverage the Asean market for expansion and growth.
“We have received a good response not just from Selangor but also other states and Asean countries for this year’s expo, and we are making it bigger for developers to showcase their products,” he said.
Invest Selangor is targeting RM7 billion in potential transaction value for this year’s SIBS and anticipates over 60,000 visitors from 80 countries.
