Invest Selangor is a leading investment solution centre in Malaysia and the ASEAN region. Invest Selangor Berhad will host its 3rd Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS). Bringing together global brands and congregating industry players from the world under the patronage of State Government of Selangor.

The Selangor International Business Summit 2019 will showcase four main events alongside a variety of parallel events occurring at the same time. The events will be held on October 10th till 13th 2019 at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

What is the event about and what can we look forward to? Invest Selangor’s CEO, Dato’ Hassan Azhari Bin Hj. Idris shares his thoughts.

Q: What is the Selangor International Business Summit 2019? 

Dato’ Hassan Azhari: It is an international event that aims to bring together global brand and industry players from across ASEAN. Its objectives is to promote Selangor as ‘Your Gateway to ASEAN’ by bringing together local and international businesses to work together. SIBS 2019 strives to be the catalyst for potential collaborations between Selangor and the international community. 

Q: What are the events that will be held during this programme? 

Dato’ Hassan: The main events include: 

i) Selangor International Expo 2019 (SIE) – 10-13 October 2019
This is in its 5th edition and is a dedicated food and beverage expo which will attract more prominent participation of international exhibitors from ASEAN and neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam, India, Taiwan and China. It will look at the food and beverage industry holistically, crossing aspects such as F&B, Food Science, Food Tech, Food Service, and Halal market. It will host industry talks and workshops to ensure that the participants stay ahead in the global market.

ii) Selangor ASEAN Business Conference 2019 (SABC) – 10-11 October 2019
This will be an event lasting for a day and a half which is already in it 3rd edition. It is a knowledge sharing conference which will gather prominent business leaders and speakers from ASEAN. The 1st day will feature a keynote address by our Prime Minister, YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad whilst the 2nd day will feature a keynote speech by our Minister of Economic Affairs, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali. The conference has an estimate of more than 30 speakers.

The conference will have five main discussions:

a) The advantages of the ASEAN Economic Community 2025.
b) SMEs preparation to embrace IR 4.0 and the role of ASEAN governments and industry players.
c) The opportunities and challenges arising from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and ASEAN Free Trade Area’s (FTA’s).
d) Cross cultural business experience, success stories and challenges in ASEAN.
e) Challenges in developing, shaping and nurturing entrepreneurship in New/ Disruptive Business models on the Background of Emerging Technologies.

iii) Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention 2019 – 11-13 October 2019
This will be a three day event that is in its 4th edition. This multiple event convention consists of an Artificial Intelligence & 5G Conference, the Selangor Anime & Gaming Festival, the Malaysia Top E-commerce Merchant Awards 2019 and the Start-up & Equity Crowd funding Pitching Day. We hope to witness the gathering of globally respected intellectuals and leaders that are focused on these 4 elements. 

iv) Selangor R&D and Innovation Expo 2019 – 10-13 October 2019
This is among one of the only events that is in its first ever edition. The expo will focus on the learning, development and incorporation of cutting edge innovations and technologies. It will showcase commercial R&D labs & centres alongside the Selangor Education Cluster initiatives under the state government. The expo will also exhibit the work from universities research centres to bring more exposure and commercialise their products.

Q: Will there be any side/parallel events? 

Dato’ Hassan: There will be! Some of the parallel events that will be hosted include: 

i) Malaysia International Tea & Coffee Expo – 10-13 October 2019 
This exhibition is jointly organised with the Tea Trade Association of Malaysia (TTAM), which will focus on the promotion of tea & coffee manufacturing, trading, retail and service both domestically and internationally. 

ii) 9th Malaysia China Entrepreneur Conference (MCCC) – 12th October 2019 
This event is organised annually where Malaysia and China take turns in hosting it alternately. It is in conjunction with this year’s 45th Anniversary of Malaysia China Diplomatic Relations. It targets to enhancing and strengthening the Malaysia-China bilateral trade, and more than 1,000 participants are expected to be present. It will also feature the 1st ever Malaysia China Young Entrepreneurs Conference. 

iii) 1st Selangor International Halal Conference – 10th October 2019 
The Selangor International Halal Conference which is jointly organised by Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) and Halal International Selangor will be providing a platform for the discussion of the market trends and innovations in relation to the halal market. More than 400 participants are expected to be in attendance. 

iv) The 2nd Battle of Teh Tarik which will take place on the 12th October 2019 which is co-organised by the Tea Trade Association of Malaysia (TTAM). 

v) Selangor International Culinary Festival which is co-organised by the Professional Culinaire Association of Malaysia (PCA) which will take place during 10-13 October 2019.

Q: Is there anything new this year? In comparison with the last Summit? 

Dato’ Hassan: There are a number of events that are unique this year in comparison to SIBS 2018. More programs are lined up for this year. Another difference is that SIBS 2019 will have a bigger space to utilise, 33,000 square metres, which is an amount that is nearly double in comparison with last year’s event. 

We have also decided to compress all the events into 4 days for SIBS 2019. SIBS 2018 was an event spanning up to 10 days, and we feel that the compression of events will mean that it will be more concise and that visitors will be able to visit a number of the events all in one go! 

Q: How does the summit provide a platform for companies to expand into new markets? 

Dato’ Hassan: The Selangor International Business Summit 2019 will have business matching facilities for visiting traders from the region. It will also hold networking sessions between exhibitors and the traders, and Invest Selangor and local councils and relevant agencies will have booths at the main pavilion where business facilitation can take place.

Q: How many visitors and booths are we expecting this year? 

Dato’ Hassan: In terms of visitors, we are expecting 30,000 visitors both members of the public and businesses. Booth wise, we will be expecting a total of 850 booths to be present. The large amount of booths are due to the fact that some countries will feature a number of booths.

Q: Who are the supporting partners, partners organization and sponsors that will be involved? 

Dato’ Hassan: This event is endorsed by MATRADE and is also supported by Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC), The Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor (KLSCCCI), Pineapple Board Malaysia (MPIB), Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB), Malaysian Pepper Board – MPB, Lembaga Pemasaran Pertanian Persekutuan (FAMA), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri (UPEN) Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Nigeria-Malaysia Business Council (NMBC), Malaysia Dutch Business Council (MDBC), Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM), ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia. Partners Organization include Selangor Information Technology & E-Commerce Council (SITEC), Badan Persatuan Sumber Manusia (BPSM), Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS), Halal International Selangor (HIS), Professional Culinaire Association (PCA), Tea Trade Association Malaysia (TTAM), Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Selangor Branch, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), The Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor (KLSCCCI), Dewan Perdagangan Islam Malaysia (DPIM), Klang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCCI), Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia (DPMM) Negeri Selangor and Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KLSICCI).

Sponsors wise, we have Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated as the Diamond Sponsor, Hong Leong Bank and PKT Logistic Group as our Platinum Sponsors, QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd, Central Spectrum (M) Sdn Bhd and EcoWorld PowerChina as our Gold Sponsors, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, MSM Kitchen Equipment Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Cocoa Board as our Silver Sponsors. 

Not to forget, we will have Malaysia Airlines Berhad as our Official Airline Partner. They’ll be offering 15% discount for all participants that are coming from overseas for the event. Our Official Ingredient Partner, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Avena Cooking Oil and Monteh by KWF Food, and last but not least, our official coffee partner, Starbucks Malaysia, who will be offering drinks on the day for you to enjoy. 

A message from Dato’ Hassan Azhari, CEO of Invest Selangor: 

We hope that everyone is able to participate in this event as visitors, exhibitors or even conference participants to take this opportunity to connect with potential partners for their future collaborations to further explore the ASEAN market. 

You can register now through the website at www.selangorsummit.com. Admissions for the exhibitions are free, whilst the Selangor ASEAN Business Conference 2019 will offer an affordable fee. Do make sure you register now, as places are running out! 

We are looking forward to seeing all of you at the 3rd Selangor International Business Summit 2019!

BMW Malaysia recently introduced its all-new BMW Z4, the automaker’s newest open-top roadster, boasting an ’emotion-packed body design and a purist, driver-focused interior’.  

“The BMW Z4 is back! More captivating than ever to rewrite a new chapter for BMW in its brand-defining roadster history,” said Harald Hoelzl, managing director of BMW Group Malaysia at the launch.

The Z4 is fashioned with striking new proportions and combines sporty on-road prowess with highly advanced, top-class equipment features and connectivity such as the BMW Live Cockpit Professional and the BMW Digital Key, says the Bavarian marque.

It is offered in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i M Sport variant capable of hitting the 0-100km/h mark in just 5.4 seconds.

Redefining its iconic, traditional roadster DNA with a modern and contemporary design based on its classic low, elongated silhouette with short overhangs, the new Z4 is available in Malaysia only in the M Sport trim. 

The premium roadster stuns with its exterior impression, featuring a significant growth in length by 85mm (4,324mm), width by 74mm (1,864mm) and a slight bump in its height by 13mm (1,304mm) as compared to its predecessor. The wider track makes for more stable and agile cornering says the manufacturer while the shorter wheelbase provides a smaller turning circle. The lower and more centralised centre of gravity delivers sportier handling.

The increased luggage capacity, larger door compartments and additional storage areas behind the seats benefit the driver who is always in need of more space along with the increased legroom for superior comfort when on the road.

The new Z4 features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivering to the rear wheel 190kW/258hp with a peak torque of 400 Nm from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm and a top speed of 250km/h.

The low centre of gravity and equal front-to-rear weight distribution showcases its roadster characteristics. The BMW Z4 sDrive30i offers an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, M Sport Suspension and Variable Sport Steering. 

Inside, the Z4 gives driving pleasure with its driver-focused cockpit design. The interior is adorned with a sporty two-seater cockpit, a classic canvas roof, minimalist interior trim surfaces and a low seating position to encapsulate the driver in a premium vehicle like no other.

Controls are intelligently grouped into ‘function islands’ for convenience, while the piece-de-resistance is the innovative indirect ambient lighting that allows the drivers to create their preferred lighting moods with calming colours like lilac and mint.

BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional is strategically placed at the same level as the central touchscreen information display and gives drivers information directly within their line of vision.

This new sports car can be locked and unlocked from a smartphone. The smartphone simply has to be held up to the door handle to unlock the door. Once inside, the engine can be started as soon as the phone has been placed in the Wireless Charging or smartphone tray. 

The new Reversing Assist, meanwhile, provides an impressive form of support when operating in narrow spaces. The intuitive system remembers the last 50 metres of the drive to the parking space and will use that knowledge to assist the driver in exiting the spot by taking over the wheel.

In terms of colour offerings, the Z4 offers four vibrant exterior colours in San Francisco Red, Misano Blue, Black Sapphire and Alpine White, matched with interior options of Black décor with Black stitching, Magma Red with Black stitching or Cognac with Black stitching.

All this for about half-a-million ringgit. Book yours here today!

Discussing Current Trade Issue

For an example, for birdnest exportation to China, it is the first time that the regulators from Malaysia(DVS) and China (Chinese custom) discuss face to face in the presence of Malaysian birdnest association’s president as key stakeholders where each will present their side of the story on the issues and challengers and to provide recommendation and solution. It is the organizer’s vision that participants leaving the concurrent feel benefited from the knowledge and inner side story discussed that will provide him a new outlook and direction to move into that market. With a crowd of 500 entrepreneurs from Malaysia and China and also key officials, it is good networking platform to enhance and seek new opportunities for projects related to Belt & Road Initiative.

Please find out more

SHAH ALAM: As climate change and rapid development adversely affects water availability and sustainability, water operators must harness advanced technologies brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution – which range from data analytics, artificial intelligence to remote sensing – to solve long-standing water management challenges.

Realising this, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) has embarked on a Digital Drive to help the organisation to develop secure, sustainable and resilient water resources.

Air Selangor’s digital transformation is about using technology, people and processes to radically change its business performance.

The new Intelligent Command Centre (ICC) is one of the key drivers in the digitalisation of the water services.

The organisation understands that a digital transformation is most powerful when it is strategic and addresses both the technological and human elements of implementation. As such, when Air Selangor outlined its business strategy in 2017, it had built digital investments into those strategies to transform Air Selangor into a digital utility.

A digital water utility not only enjoys increased efficiency, cost savings, operational reliability, improved decision making, increased public safety and enhanced value to customers, it also improves water quality services leading to best customer experience.

Air Selangor’s three immediate digital strategies are:

• Real-time monitoring & prediction
  With the use of real-time monitoring and prediction systems, Air Selangor can undertake real-time monitoring of water assets as well as pipe burst prediction, among others.
• Digital Working Culture
  As the organisation becomes more digital, utility professionals are undergoing a shift to adopt new technologies such as application of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) and workforce mobility which not only raises their efficiencies but also provide the best service possible to customers.
• Empowered Customers
  As the organisation transforms digitally, it can offer its customers with a rich digital experience to empower customers to not only get latest water supply updates but also be more in control of their water use.

Real-time monitoring of the water supply and distribution systems.

On 9 April 2019, more than 600 Air Selangor employees were given updates on the progress of the organisation’s digital transformation at the Air Selangor Digital Drive 2019 event.

The event also placed Air Selangor on the IoT Day Map, making it the only organisation in the country to hold an event to acknowledge and embrace the advent of the Internet-of-Things in this Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

Mini last week introduced to the Malaysian market the new Mini Convertible as part of its celebrations of the 60th birthday of Mini in the country.

“The first Mini Convertible with an all-electric soft-top debuted at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show with the brand’s hallmark proportions, characteristic agility and clever functionality.

“To this day, the Mini Convertible is coveted for its stylish open-top driving excitement, non-stop thrill behind the wheel and complete with its unique go-kart drive feeling.

“In 2019, the New Mini Convertible returns to Malaysia to celebrate the 60th birthday of Mini,” said Harald Hoelzl, managing director of BMW Group Malaysia.

The hallmark driving fun in the new Mini Convertible is attributed to elements such as the new engine-transmission combination, an extended range of standard features, newly-designed headlights and taillights, additional body finishes as well as cutting-edge connectivity technology for convenience and infotainment.

Taking pride in Mini’s heritage, the Union Jack from the “Mini Yours” design portfolio is woven into the fabric of the roof on the Mini Convertible. The soft top opens electrically within 18 seconds even with the car moving at up to 30km/h. When the top is closed, the multiple layers of fabric make for excellent sound insulation and provides comfort on long journeys.

The electrically-powered soft top is also uniquely different to other offerings in the automotive market in that it is a quiet, intelligent Z-folding mechanism which can operate in three stages of open, closed or sunroof to let the breeze in.

The taillights, on the other hand, feature the eye-catching Union Jack design to portray Mini’s rich heritage. A chrome frame surrounds the two-part LED Union Jack taillights to further convey modern driving.

A two-litre four-cylinder Mini TwinPower Turbo engine sits at the heart of the Mini Convertible, producing 192hp and 280Nm of torque. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 7.1 seconds while consuming 5.7 litres of fuel per 100km. The Convertible has a maximum speed of 230km/h.

The engine is paired with a seven-speed Steptronic Sports automatic transmission. Additionally, the selector lever allows drivers to opt for manual-shift or automatic mode according to their driving preference. The Start/Stop function also makes driving more economical as it helps decide whether the car is in a better position with its engine switched off or running for better efficiency.

Three driving modes are available for the Convertible. To optimise fuel delivery and disengage the engine when the driver’s foot is off the throttle, switch over to the fuel-friendly “Green” mode. Alternatively, switch to “Sport” mode for more responsive steering and acceleration or stay in “Mid” mode for the best of both worlds.

The interior of the new Mini Convertible is embellished in Leather Chester, a brand new lush, diamond-stitched saddle leather in Malt Brown. The door armrest and knee roll will also complement the Malt Brown seats.

With “Mini Yours” illuminated interior surface in Piano Black, owners can choose from 12 different colour options illuminating from the Union Jack Design. “Mini Yours” also presents the highest-quality materials and stylish designs with precise craftmanship. The superior quality leather is carefully selected for the “Mini Yours” Nappa Leather steering wheel with hand-finished aluminium-coloured contrast stitching.

The Convertible now features a newly-designed electronic selector lever that returns to its original position after changing between driving mode ‘D’, neutral position ‘N’ and reverse mode ‘R’. The parking lock is activated by pressing the ‘P’ button. To support a particularly sporty driving style as well as allow manual intervention, owners can activate the ‘S’ mode from position ‘D’ by shifting the selector lever to the left.

Safety in the Convertible is further enhanced with the active rollover protection system, which ensures driver and passengers are given additional head protection should the vehicle ever overturn. The car also comes with front airbags and pelvis-thorax airbag for the driver and front passenger. Additional safety features include Rear Park Distance Control, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

The Convertible also features a new high-resolution 6.5-inch touch screen display in the centre instrument. It houses state-of-the-art technology and puts a wealth of navigation information at the driver’s fingertips.

Advanced digital services in the new Convertible include the new generation “Mini Connected” with built-in 4G SIM technology. Mini Connected maximises safety and convenience through its extensive connectivity capabilities and personalised services including Intelligent Emergency Call, TeleServices, Mini Online, wireless Apple CarPlay and Remote Services.

The Convertible will feature the special exterior colour offering of Caribbean Aqua which is exclusive to the model. Additional exterior colour offerings include Chili Red, Solaris Orange, Melting Silver and Starlight Blue.

The new Mini Convertible goes for RM279,888 and only 20 units will be available following its launch on July 20. Will you be in time?

VISIT OUR WEBSITES AND FACEBOOK PAGE