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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Malaysia has launched a major four-day industrial and investment exhibition aimed at attracting global investors, accelerating high-tech industrial development and strengthening international business partnerships, with Bangladesh among the participating countries seeking to expand trade and technology cooperation.
The Selangor Investment and Industrial Park Exhibition (SPARK) 2026 was inaugurated by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on October 14. The exhibition, which runs until October 17, is being held as part of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS).
Featuring 198 exhibition booths representing eight countries, SPARK 2026 brings together industrial park developers, technology companies, investors and business leaders to explore investment opportunities, showcase innovations and establish new commercial partnerships.
Bangladesh, Japan, the Philippines, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand are participating in the exhibition, which highlights investment prospects, industrial development plans, advanced technologies and emerging business opportunities across regional and international markets.
For Bangladesh, the event offers an opportunity to showcase its growing technology sector, promote software and digital services, and build stronger commercial links with Malaysia and other Southeast Asian economies.
With the support and initiative of the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Invest Bangladesh and Brain Station 23 Tech Sdn Bhd, the Malaysian subsidiary of Bangladeshi technology company Brain Station 23, are participating in the exhibition.
Their participation highlights Bangladesh’s capabilities in software engineering, digital innovation and technology services for international markets, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Brain Station 23 has experience in delivering technology solutions to international organisations across several sectors, including banking, financial technology, healthcare, education and retail.
At SPARK 2026, the company is showcasing customised software development, mobile applications, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and extended reality (XR) solutions incorporating augmented and virtual reality technologies.
These services demonstrate the potential for Bangladeshi technology companies to participate in cross-border digital transformation projects and develop long-term partnerships with Malaysian businesses.
Participation in the exhibition could also help companies explore new markets, identify prospective clients and expand technology exports by connecting with international investors and industry leaders.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury visited the Bangladesh pavilion on the opening day. A high-level Malaysian delegation also toured the pavilion, providing an opportunity to present the country’s technology capabilities and explore areas of mutual interest.
In his inaugural address, Amirudin Shari outlined Selangor’s evolving industrial and investment strategy, emphasising innovation, advanced technology and the development of homegrown intellectual property.
He said the state wanted to move beyond its traditional role as a low-cost manufacturing centre and pursue an industrial model built around innovation and technological expertise.
The vision is to move from the conventional “Made in Malaysia” approach towards a more knowledge-driven economy under the concept of “Designed and Engineered by Malaysia”.
Addressing prospective investors, the Menteri Besar said Selangor was not seeking investment based solely on inexpensive land or low labour costs. Instead, it wanted investors capable of contributing advanced technologies, skilled workers, innovation and sustainable business partnerships.
The state is particularly focused on strengthening its position as an international hub for semiconductor chip design, artificial intelligence and environmentally friendly high-technology industries.
The strategy reflects a broader effort to attract investment that can generate higher-value economic activity, develop local expertise and strengthen the competitiveness of Malaysian industries.
Invest Selangor Berhad has introduced three strategic initiatives intended to simplify investment procedures and help businesses make informed decisions about establishing or expanding operations in the state.
The initiatives were unveiled by the organisation’s chief executive officer, Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris.
They include an investment guide and promotional publication for Selangor, a specialised report on the state’s skilled workforce and labour market capabilities, and the “Invest Selangor Preferred Industrial Park” programme.
According to the organisers, the initiatives will help foreign investors identify suitable industrial parks, assess the availability of skilled workers and access information needed to evaluate potential investments.
The measures are also intended to make it easier for investors to navigate the state’s industrial landscape and identify locations suited to their operational requirements.
For international companies considering Malaysia as a manufacturing, technology or regional business base, access to information on industrial infrastructure and workforce capabilities can play an important role in investment planning.
### Global Companies and Investors Join Summit
SPARK 2026 serves as a platform for international investors, industrial park developers and technology providers to establish business connections, explore strategic partnerships and discuss opportunities in the manufacturing and technology sectors.
Major Malaysian property and industrial park developers participating in the exhibition include EcoWorld, Sime Darby Property, Sunway Rawang City and NCT Group.
More than 140 technology companies, including SanDisk, Nexperia, Oppstar and SkyChip, are also showcasing their latest innovations and technological solutions.
Invest Selangor is hosting 35 high-level international delegates from countries including China, Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, India and the United Kingdom.
The organisers have arranged one-to-one business meetings, visits to industrial parks and networking sessions to help delegates engage directly with potential partners and explore investment and commercial opportunities.
These activities are designed to turn the summit’s discussions and exhibitions into practical business connections, including possible joint ventures, technology collaborations and industrial investment projects.
For participating Bangladeshi businesses, such meetings can provide an avenue to build relationships with international companies and explore opportunities beyond the domestic market.
### Sustainability and Water Management in Focus
Alongside industrial expansion, environmental protection and sustainable development feature prominently in this year’s summit.
The Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) is highlighting its zero-polluted-water discharge policy and initiatives to encourage water recycling and reuse.
The focus reflects the importance of sustainable water management as industrial activity expands and