Selangor:Young entrepreneurs in Selangor are encouraged to expand their business ventures into ASEAN cities such as Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila, and Ho Chi Minh City, according to Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj. He emphasized that despite ASEAN being a single region, businesses often operate as if they are in separate markets, which limits regional growth opportunities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Amir Shah highlighted the importance of regional collaboration during his keynote address at the Selangor ASEAN Business Conference (SABC) 2026. He noted that in an era where supply chains are shifting and larger economies are competing for investment, technology, and talent, fragmentation can be detrimental. He stated that collaboration is an economic necessity, not just a courtesy among neighboring countries.
Tengku Amir Shah also participated in the opening ceremony of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026, organized by Invest Selangor Bhd. He explained that the true test of ASEAN integration lies in whether entrepreneurs from one member country can build businesses that serve other markets within the region. He stressed the importance of technology and education in preparing the next generation to build, sell, lead, and compete effectively.
He further mentioned that ASEAN's young population, which includes over 213 million people aged 15 to 34, is a significant advantage. However, its economic value is contingent upon the opportunities provided to young people. By offering them the necessary tools, training, and market access, this demographic promise can be transformed into productive capacity and regional advantage.
The SABC 2026, marking its 10th edition, focuses on the theme 'Selangor The Gateway to ASEAN's Youth and Future,' emphasizing the next generation as a key economic factor. Tengku Amir Shah expressed the ambition for Selangor to serve not only as a gateway to ASEAN but also as a platform to prepare a new generation to lead the region.