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its easy accessibility. Port is not only With over 30 years of business, the Malaysian state a leading port in Southeast Asia, but also of Selangor continues to attract Japanese investors one of the top ports in the world in terms of productivity. As one of the major economic players in manufacturing operations. Its supportive Currently the 12th busiest port in the the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and pro-business policies as well as attractive world, shipping volumes at have (ASEAN) region, Malaysia has been sup- investment incentives have helped foreign increased by more than 30 percent over the porting foreign business for decades and, companies to flourish and grow their busi- years, making it one of the fastest-growing consequently, achieved some of the stron- ness in Selangor with minimum regulation. ports in the region. In 2016 alone, the port has gest economic growth in Asia. Now, the To date, Selangor has attracted more than handled over 13 million TEU (twenty-foot Malaysian state of Selangor is seeking more 5,000 foreign investment projects from more equivalent units) to meet increasing demand investment from Japanese and other foreign than 60 countries, many of which have as the national load and transhipment center. companies, and The Japan Times spoke with expanded and diversified their operations. The Selangor state government is also study- Tuan Amirudin Bin Shari, chief minister of ing its potential of being a second Digital Free Selangor State Government to learn more What are the advantages for a Japanese Trade Zone, which could attract more invest- about what makes Selangor such an attrac- company of setting up business there? ment and logistics players. tive business environment. The state is proud to host Japanese com- Tuan Amirudin Bin Shari, chief minister of panies that have been operating in Selangor Selangor State Government What sort of workforce can companies Could you provide us with an overview of for more than 30 years. Since 1987, there has employ? Selangor? been 25.98 billion Malaysian ringgits (around ogies and expand their market in the region. Foreign companies investing in Selangor Strategically located around Malaysia’s ¥684 billion) worth of investments by Japa- can rely on a diversified workforce that is capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor is the nese companies in various manufacturing What sort of land infrastructure is skilled, talented and multilingual. The state is The second edition of the Selangor International Business Summit in 2018 invest selangor berhad country’s primary port of entry as well as its sectors through 1,159 approved projects, evi- available? home to a labor force of 3.4 million employed most developed and progressive state. With dence of Japanese companies’ confidence in Selangor now boasts the best infrastruc- in various fields, the largest in Malaysia. How is the quality of life for foreign Alam, Selangor, which is the only school in a 23 percent contribution to Malaysia’s gross Selangor and its excellent business prospects. ture and connectivity in Malaysia, including Skilled workers are the foundation of Selan- nationals? Malaysia offering primary and secondary domestic product, Selangor is the country’s Apart from being the country’s primary rail, highways, world-class seaports and air- gor’s economic growth, equipping it with the Selangor is able to provide an excellent education using the Japanese curriculum. largest economy and enjoys highly devel- port of entry, Japanese companies have been ports. In addition to the Kuala Lumpur Inter- adaptive flexibility to manage technological quality of life in Malaysia due to its world- oped infrastructure for major industry clus- eager to move their operations to Selangor national Airport and Subang Skypark airport, and economic changes. This is due to the fact class infrastructure, education facilities, cen- How can companies learn more about ters, making it a well-established investment due to its excellent connectivity to Kuala the Golden State is also well connected to that there are more than 160 institutions of tral location and close proximity to Kuala doing business in Selangor? haven backed by excellent state govern- Lumpur city center and relatively low risk several major highways. higher learning, producing approximately Lumpur and Putrajaya. Compared with The Selangor International Business Sum- ment support and an advanced commercial of natural disasters. For example, Japanese Industries are mainly located in over 200 40,000 graduates per year. many other higher-cost areas in the region, mit 2019 is a great platform for Japanese com- ecosystem. companies based in Thailand have been industrial estates or parks. New sites fully As one of the fastest-growing states in Selangor boasts a relatively high standard panies to participate, explore and establish Known for its highly skilled and innova- diversifying their businesses here due to equipped with infrastructure facilities such the country, Selangor continues to attract of living at a lower cost, along with cultural business ventures in the state of Selangor, tive knowledge-workforce as well as an uncertain weather conditions such as heavy as roads, electricity and water supplies, as the right talent to supply foreign compa- diversity and racial harmony. Residents in and to discover more investment opportuni- attractive cosmopolitan living standard, floods that have been hitting Bangkok. The well as telecommunications, are continu- nies that are in need of talent with special- Selangor enjoy a safe and comfortable liv- ties across the ASEAN region. Scheduled to Selangor is a beacon of abundance and pros- state’s investment promotion agency, Invest ously being developed by the state govern- ized skills. The Selangor Human Resource ing environment with 21st-century facilities, be held from Oct. 10 to 13, 2019, at the Malay- perity. A diverse manufacturing base, high Selangor, has assisted Japanese companies ment to meet demand and are maintained Development Centre has been contributing excellent health care and medical conve- sia International Trade and Exhibition Centre concentration of industrial activity, central from the insurance industry to evaluate in line with international standards. Newer to the upskilling and talent development niences, outstanding educational institu- (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, the four-day event location to markets and a skilled labor force, potential risks and encourage their clients to industrial parks in Selangor are focusing of the Selangor workforce, particularly in tions, and world-class recreational and sports will bring together some of the most innova- and good access to transport and infrastruc- set up businesses in Selangor. on high-value manufacturing sectors such information and communications technol- facilities. tive companies and brands, including knowl- ture has made Selangor a fully developed Japanese companies will also be able to as biotechnology, medical devices and ogy; industrial automation; solar technol- Foreign nationals are able to explore the edgeable and influential speakers on the key and industrialized state. introduce existing smart technologies into aerospace. ogy; microsystems; aviation maintenance, myriad number of shopping and tourist des- issues that impact international trade, espe- Selangor, since this is supported by the state repair and overhaul; mechatronics; as well tinations throughout the state. Education cially within the ASEAN region. How conducive is the business government’s Smart Selangor initiative to What is Selangor’s primary seaport? as leadership and change management. This facilities such as international schools with environment? prioritize technology infrastructure. The Strategically located along the Straits of enables the Selangor workforce to be better various curriculums are available to ease For more information on the upcoming The friendly business environment in excellent connectivity into ASEAN makes it Malacca, Port Klang today has positioned equipped and industry-ready for the ever- transitions for expats with younger children Selangor International Business Summit 2019, Selangor has made the state one of the the perfect business environment for Japa- itself as a “pit stop” for container vessels ply- changing landscape of the manufacturing moving to Selangor. This includes the Japa- please visit https://www.selangorsummit. region’s top investment destinations for nese companies to also display their technol- ing the world’s busiest shipping lane due to sector. nese School of Kuala Lumpur located in Shah com/ . Breathtaking discoveries await in Selangor

Selangor is Malaysia’s most developed state and largest economy, with a wealth of cultural, culinary and natural attractions. Last year, over 3 million foreign travelers, including nearly 200,000 Japanese travel- ers, visited Selangor to experience the offerings of Malaysia’s most progressive state, attesting to its popularity as a top tourist destination. Centrally located in close proximity to the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, Selan- gor is Malaysia’s primary port of entry and is home to two international airports and the country’s largest seaport. The state’s economy is booming, contributing around 23 percent of Malaysia’s gross domestic product, and provides its citizens with a high standard of living while boasting the lowest poverty rate in the country. Selan- gor is one of Malaysia’s fastest-growing states and continues to attract investment, especially from Japanese companies in various manufacturing sectors that have The Sky Mirror is a beach that creates mirror-like reflections of the sky. tourism selangor operated in the region for decades. Selangor is situated in the west of Pen- plethora of artifacts centered on the his- and full moon periods — when the tide insular Malaysia, overlooking the Strait of tory and heritage of the Sultanate of Selan- ebbs just enough to cover a large stretch Malacca, and has large stretches of perma- gor. This and other attractions, including of flat island. During this natural phenom- nent reserve forest that account for nearly the grand Alam Shah Palace and the majes- enon, the shallow water produces pristine, 32 percent of the state’s land. These forest tic Tengku Kelana Indian Muslim Mosque mirror-like reflections of the sky, offering areas, some of which are protected by the and Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, can be visitors a marvelous visual wonder and state in order to preserve biodiversity, are appreciated on the Royal Klang Heritage unusual photography opportunities. home to various wildlife, including migra- Walk, a free guided walking tour that high- While in , travelers can tory and residential birds, Nile hippos, lights Klang’s historical riches. Visitors can visit other natural treasures, such as the crocodiles and silver leaf monkeys, which also relish local Klang delicacies such as Kuala Selangor Nature Park, where migra- have made the region an ideal ecotourism Bak Kut Teh Klang, a popular pork rib dish, tory birds are found from September to destination. and delectable seafood from the fishing March, and the Fireflies island of Pulau Ketam. Park, featuring boat rides for visitors to Rich cultural heritage admire the fireflies flickering among trees Among Selangor’s nine districts, the Natural treasures abound along the riverbanks. is particularly beloved for its One of Selangor’s most popular des- architectural and cultural gems. tinations is Sasaran Beach in the Kuala Blue Mosque The Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery, Selangor district. Commonly referred to as No trip to Selangor is complete without located in a classic British colonial-style “Sky Mirror,” the beach is only accessible a visit to the stunning Blue Mosque located building constructed in 1909, houses a twice a month — during the new moon in Selangor’s capital city of . The mosque’s most distinguishing feature, The Blue Mosque, its enormous blue and silver dome, is the located in Selangor’s largest religious dome in the world and is capital city of Shah surrounded by four towering minarets. The Alam, has an second-largest mosque in Southeast Asia, enormous blue Selangor’s Blue Mosque accommodates up and silver dome to 24,000 people and is visible from several and is the largest vantage points in Kuala Lumpur. religious dome The mosque’s design incorporates ele- in the world. ments of Malay and Islamic architecture, tourism selangor with decorative Arabic calligraphy and other intricate patterns on doorways, win- dows and walls. The structure, which over- looks the landscaped Garden of Islamic Arts, exudes a tranquil ambiance, accentu- ated by the blue stained glass of its win- dows that illuminate the interior with calm bluish hues.

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