(From left) MBI Selangor group chief executive officer Datuk Saipolyazan M Yusop, Selangor investment, trade and mobility committee chairman Ng Sze Han, Selangor state secretary Datuk Dr Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin, Selangor women development and social welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari and Hasan at the official launch of SIBS 2025, setting the stage for SABC 2025.
WITH Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship this year, Selangor is poised to reinforce its role as the region’s gateway for investment, trade and innovation.
This vision will be showcased at the ninth Selangor Asean Business Conference (SABC 2025) from Oct 8–9 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), a key component of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS 2025).
With the theme “Selangor, the Gateway to a More Inclusive and Sustainable Asean”, the conference aligns with Asean’s growth priorities of economic integration, sustainability and digital transformation.
The theme also reflects Selangor’s unique strengths, said Invest Selangor Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris.
“Selangor embodies Asean’s diversity, youth, openness and dynamism,” he said.
“Our multiracial and multilingual population mirrors Asean’s own, while our economy spans manufacturing, services, technology and trade. To know Selangor is to understand Asean.”
Hasan underscores Selangor’s role as Malaysia’s leading services hub and industrial powerhouse.
Economic strength
In 2024, Selangor recorded a GDP of RM432.1bil, contributing 26.2% of Malaysia’s economy, with RM101.1bil in approved investments, the highest ever.
The state’s economy grew by 6.3% year-on-year, outperforming the national average of 5.1%. The services sector, Selangor’s largest contributor, accounted for 61.1% of GDP led by wholesale and retail, transport, ICT, finance and real estate.
At 29.1% of GDP, manufacturing continued to drive performance, powered by electrical and electronics, food processing and transport equipment.
Selangor also contributes 32.9% of Malaysia’s total manufacturing output and remains the nation’s leading industrial hub, supported by world-class infrastructure, logistics and talent.
These milestones, Hasan said, reflect the state’s resilience, innovation and investor confidence.
The golden state advantage
Selangor’s appeal lies not only in size but in fundamentals that keep investors returning.
Strategically located at the heart of Malaysia, Selangor provides seamless access to domestic and international markets, with Port Klang, Kuala Lumpur International Airport and extensive road and rail networks.
Its workforce of four million, including 1.9 million with higher education, forms the backbone of a knowledge-driven economy.
Selangor’s 95.8% urbanisation rate and liveable cities such as Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya, offers the infrastructure and quality of life attractive to investors and talent alike.
Selangor also leads in digital innovation. Cyberjaya, Malaysia’s global tech hub, hosts over 30 Cybercities and Cybercentres, anchoring a thriving ecosystem of global tech players and start-ups.
To ease market entry, Invest Selangor has rolled out targeted initiatives such as the Selangor Soft Landing Programme, Selangor Lab Partnership Programme and the Selangor Life Sciences Accelerator Programme 2025.
Selangor’s economic strength continues to anchor national growth.
SABC 2025: bigger, better, broader
The two-day programme will feature leaders including Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, the Asean Secretariat and industry captains, discussing aerospace, logistics, geopolitics and Asean’s next generation of talent and innovation.
“The aim is to foster practical dialogue that strengthens cross-border investments, enhances connectivity and prepares Asean for future challenges,” said Hasan.
“We want participants to leave with fresh insights, new networks and concrete strategies for collaboration and growth.”
To further boost participation, the Hosted Delegates Programme will welcome overseas delegations from Asean business associations to strengthen cross-border networking and collaboration.
SABC 2025 builds on the success of last year’s edition, which drew regional participation and delivered impactful sessions and partnerships. A total of RM13.86bil in potential transactions was generated.
For 2025, over 700 exhibition booths and 50,000 visitors are expected at SIBS, with SABC serving as the Asean-facing anchor.
A future-ready Asean hub
Selangor is targeting opportunities in semiconductors, aerospace, rail and data centres to expand growth zones to ensure sustainable competitiveness.
“Through these efforts, Selangor is building a stronger, more resilient and globally competitive ecosystem, ensuring we remain Asean’s preferred investment hub well into the future,” Hasan affirmed.
