By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Feb 19 — Selangor will capitalise on its flagship trade events, such as the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) and Selangor Aviation Show, to position itself as a key economic hub in Asean, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Amirudin said the state will take advantage of Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, which includes hosting over 300 Asean-related meetings nationwide, some in Selangor, to showcase its economic potential and investment opportunities.
“In addition to hosting SIBS in October, one of at least 323 official Asean meetings and engagements this year, the Selangor government is also actively promoting the Visit Selangor Year 2025 campaign.
“Special attention will be given to official delegations from neighbouring Asean countries, alongside engagement efforts with tourism operators across the region to position Selangor as a key destination and attract more visitors,” he said in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly today.
Amirudin was responding to a question from Hulu Kelang assemblyman Datuk Seri Azmin Ali on how the state plans to leverage Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship to highlight its economic strength.
The Menteri Besar previously said that as part of Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, SIBS 2025 has been designated an official event for the Asean Summit.
SIBS will revert to a single-event format in 2025, unlike the two-series structure in 2024, with a proposed RM20 million budget.
[caption id="attachment_377108" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari (second from left) visits an exhibit on the first day of the Selangor International Halal Convention, in conjunction with the second series of the Selangor International Business Summit 2024, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 16, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Amirudin also reiterated Selangor’s commitment to the halal industry, which has been featured at SIBS through the Selangor International Halal Convention.
However, he said, non-Muslim entrepreneurs have shown greater enthusiasm than their Muslim counterparts in obtaining halal certification, the latter of whom may view it as unnecessary.
“The key challenge lies in overcoming mental barriers within society, particularly among business owners and entrepreneurs.
“Many Malay entrepreneurs, especially those with traditional mindsets, feel that obtaining halal certification is unnecessary as they believe their practices are already halal.
“Non-Bumiputera companies tend to be more aggressive in obtaining certification,” he said.
Amirudin added that while some business owners take a strict fiqh-based approach and believe their products are inherently halal, the absence of formal certification limits market recognition and consumer trust.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Sijangkang assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Yunus Hairi on how Selangor plans to leverage its trade platforms to promote the halal industry.
Meanwhile, in response to another question from Azmin regarding the state’s trade deficit, Amirudin acknowledged that while Selangor’s trade volume grows, imports still outpace exports.
However, he said the state government is working to bridge this gap through strategic investments and industrial expansion, particularly in the semiconductor sector.
He also highlighted plans to launch the IC Design Park 2 by March, and said the state is working to attract an advanced packaging plant, though discussions on the project are ongoing.
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Visitors throng an exhibit during the Selangor International Business Summit 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 19, 2023. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
