SHAH ALAM, May 20 — Global industry leaders have described Selangor as a cornerstone of regional growth and expansion, citing the state’s strong industrial ecosystem, skilled workforce, strategic connectivity and pro-business environment as main advantages for long-term investments.
In a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report titled Selangor: Malaysia’s prime hub for growth in Asia, multinational corporations in the semiconductor, automotive and pharmaceutical sectors highlighted Selangor’s role in supporting innovation, localisation and regional market access.
Dutch giant NXP Semiconductors, which established its assembly and testing facility in Malaysia in 1972, said Selangor has become central to its global operations.
Today, NXP’s facility in Petaling Jaya occupies an 8ha site in a Free Trade Industrial Zone, specialising in the assembly and testing of microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, and radio frequency products.
NXP managing director Goon Ben Nee said Selangor’s ecosystem and government facilitation has allowed the company to establish sustainable operations and global business functions.
“Selangor has been the cornerstone of our growth, offering a dynamic ecosystem, strategic connectivity, and a pro-business environment to thrive.
“Throughout this journey, Invest Selangor has served as an effective facilitator, helping us navigate regulatory requirements efficiently and ensuring a smooth investment experience,” Goon said in the report.
He added that the strong foundation in Selangor has allowed NXP to focus on generating lasting economic value for the community and the state.
Strategic production, exports hub
Chinese automotive manufacturer Chery, which entered the Malaysian market in 2023 and chose Selangor as its regional manufacturing base, called the state a strategic Southeast Asian production and exports hub.
Its executive vice-president Men Linbo said the state’s industrial ecosystem and infrastructure strengthened Chery’s growth plans in Malaysia and the region.
“Malaysia is an important location for Chery, supported by its strong industrial ecosystem and well-developed infrastructure. As an international automotive brand, we are proud to have established our presence in the dynamic and business-friendly state of Selangor.”
Men said Chery opened its first production facility in Shah Alam in 2024 to assemble vehicles for both domestic and export markets, and that the construction of the Chery Smart Auto Industrial Park in Lembah Beringin, which began in 2025, would support the production of up to 300,000 vehicles annually.
“Selangor’s advantages, together with Invest Selangor’s support, have enabled our growth, innovation and job creation in Malaysia.”
According to the report, Chery’s operations in Selangor are supported by strong port connectivity, established industrial zones, and access to skilled local talent, with 99 per cent of its workforce comprising Malaysians.
Key ecosystem for pharmaceutical innovation
Homegrown pharmaceutical company Duopharma Biotech also credited Selangor’s ecosystem for supporting its expansion in pharmaceutical innovation and halal-certified biosimilars.
Founded in 1978, the public-listed company operates three manufacturing plants and a research and development facility across Selangor, while exporting products to more than 30 countries.
Its group chief executive officer Wan Amir-Jeffery Wan Abdul Majid described Selangor as an essential ecosystem for high value pharmaceutical innovation.
“Selangor is more than a location, it is a hi-tech ecosystem essential for pharmaceutical innovation. For 50 years, Duopharma Biotech has thrived here by leveraging the state’s infrastructure and talent in Klang, Bangi, and Glenmarie (Shah Alam).
“My advice to peers is to plug into this network to achieve global quality,” he said, adding that initiatives such as the Selangor Biotechnology Action Plan and facilitation by Invest Selangor have streamlined investment processes and accelerated projects.
According to PwC, Duopharma Biotech has strengthened its position in the pharmaceutical sector through global partnerships with firms from Asia-Pacific countries, including South Korea and China, while leveraging Selangor’s skilled workforce and innovation ecosystem.
The report also said the company’s new manufacturing facility in Selangor would enhance in-house biosimilar production and reduce Malaysia’s dependence on pharmaceutical imports.
