Selangor, West Java Strengthen Economic Cooperation Through SIBS@ASEAN
By Harizah Hanim Mohamed
BANDUNG, July 9 (Bernama) -- 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).
"For SMEs, the programme under Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS)@ASEAN also provides business-matching opportunities to enable SMEs to benefit from the network established between Selangor and West Java," he told reporters after delivering the keynote address at the launch of SIBS@ASEAN in Bandung, Indonesia, today.
When asked whether SIBS@ASEAN will continue to be held abroad, Amirudin said Invest Selangor will continue to explore the ASEAN market by organising SIBS@ASEAN.
"The discourse surrounding ASEAN always occurs at the national level, among ministers through agreements and official declarations.
"The fact is, economic relations that can enhance trade and investment occur at the sub-national level, namely between regions, provinces, states, and cities," he said.
At the same press conference, the Deputy Governor of West Java, Indonesia, Erwan Setiawan, said that this collaborative effort opens up opportunities for West Java to learn about Islamic finance aspects from Malaysia.
"The field of Islamic finance in Malaysia is recognised internationally. Therefore, we also want to learn from Malaysia and Selangor to further strengthen Islamic finance in West Java so that the province can gain wider recognition," he said.
Earlier during his keynote address, Erwan emphasised that West Java is an investor-friendly region, and this is evidenced by West Java's high realised investment record at the national level.
"Malaysia is one of the largest investors in West Java, with realised investments amounting to 47 trillion rupiah over the past five years.
"From a tourism perspective, Malaysian tourists visiting West Java contribute 12.5 per cent of international tourist arrivals to West Java. This shows that West Java is widely known by the Malaysian community," he said.
Meanwhile, SIBS@ASEAN, held for the first time abroad after 10 years of establishment, demonstrates Selangor's commitment to expanding its trade and investment reach at the regional level.
According to an Instagram post, Amirudin also paid a courtesy visit to the Indonesian Deputy Minister of Trade, Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, the Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza, and the representative of Danantara Indonesia yesterday as part of the Selangor delegation's agenda to the republic.
Among the matters raised during his meeting with government representatives were efforts to strengthen trade relations, investment, and industrial cooperation between Selangor and Indonesia, as well as the potential for collaboration in the electrical, electronics and semiconductor industries.
-- BERNAMA