Selangor: Selangor wants to build trade relations and enhance connections between investors in the state and West Java, Indonesia, to drive stronger economic growth for both parties, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Amirudin said among the tangible areas with potential for business cooperation are aerospace, rail, mobility, high-tech manufacturing, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Amirudin highlighted that the programme under Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS)@ASEAN provides business-matching opportunities to enable SMEs to benefit from the network established between Selangor and West Java. He spoke to reporters after delivering the keynote address at the launch of SIBS@ASEAN in Bandung, Indonesia.
When asked whether SIBS@ASEAN will continue to be held abroad, Amirudin stated that Invest Selangor aims to explore the ASEAN market by organising SIBS@ASEAN. He noted that economic relations enhancing trade and investment occur at the sub-national level, such as between regions, provinces, states, and cities.
At the same press conference, the Deputy Governor of West Java, Indonesia, Erwan Setiawan, mentioned that this collaborative effort opens opportunities for West Java to learn about Islamic finance aspects from Malaysia. He acknowledged Malaysia's international recognition in Islamic finance and expressed West Java's interest in strengthening its own Islamic finance sector.
During his keynote address, Erwan emphasized West Java's investor-friendly environment and highlighted Malaysia as a major investor, with realised investments amounting to 47 trillion rupiah over the past five years. He also noted that Malaysian tourists account for 12.5 per cent of international tourist arrivals to West Java, indicating the region's recognition within the Malaysian community.
SIBS@ASEAN, being held abroad for the first time in its ten-year history, showcases Selangor's commitment to expanding trade and investment at the regional level. Amirudin, as part of the Selangor delegation's agenda, also paid courtesy visits to Indonesian government officials, discussing efforts to strengthen trade relations and potential collaborations in various industries.