SPARK, also known as the Selangor Industrial Park Expo, is set to return for its third iteration on Oct 19 to 22 at Halls 4 and 5 of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, building on the huge success the expo garnered last year.

The exclusively curated event for industrial park operators and solutions providers is one of the six expos under the Selangor International Business Summit 2023 (SIBS 2023).

However, in line with SIBS 2023’s theme “Selangor, the gateway to Asean”, this year’s SPARK is set to stand out from previous iterations by opening its doors to companies beyond Selangor’s borders - whether within Malaysia or Asean - to foster a broader exchange of ideas, knowledge and innovation among investors and industry players.

“This special feature is now called the ‘Invest Asean’ expo, a co-located expo within SPARK that will focus on investment destinations in Southeast Asia,” Invest Selangor CEO Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris says.

According to Hasan, SPARK 2023 widening its reach presents an opportunity for local businesses to gain exposure to new markets and forge collaborations with companies from different regions.

“Ultimately, this inclusive approach enhances the overall vibrancy and impact of SPARK 2023, thus creating a dynamic platform for growth, development and networking in the business ecosystem within the industry in the context of presenting Asean as the best investment destination globally,” he says.

With SPARK 2023 set to feature 250 booths from a diverse line-up of exhibitors and forecast to attract some 50,000 visitors, Hasan says the expo will be a vibrant hub of activity, fostering meaningful connections and inspiring collaborations among industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.

SPARK 2022 was an outstanding success story, amassing RM1.2 billion in potential transaction value of SIBS 2022’s overall RM1.45 billion.

However, SPARK 2023 is set to have more than double the 123 booths seen last year and is expected to have 12.76% more visitors than the 44,342 posted the previous year.

A variety of factors are at play in solidifying SPARK’s recipe for success, according to Hasan, with one being its strategic positioning as a specialised industry expo attracting a wide range of high-quality exhibitors and trade visitors, creating a conducive environment for immediate business transactions.

“Moreover, the expo’s strong reputation [of being] hosted by the Selangor government [and] powered by Invest Selangor further enhances its credibility and draws stakeholders seeking valuable opportunities,” Hasan says, adding that its comprehensive showcase of industrial parks, investment opportunities and ecosystem support also provides a compelling value proposition for investors and industrial players.

“The expo’s carefully curated programmes, including networking sessions, seminars and business matching activities, facilitate meaningful connections and collaborations, maximising the potential for successful transactions,” he says.

Altogether, Hasan concludes that these factors are what make SPARK a highly sought-after platform that consistently delivers tangible and immediate interest and business outcomes, driving significant transaction value and contributing to the economic growth of Selangor and Malaysia.

Among the industrial park projects to be exhibited at SPARK 2023 are KLANGGROUP-managed Excellent Technology Park (ETP) series and K International Industrial Park (KIIP) series, TH Properties Sdn Bhd’s Techpark @ Enstek and NCT Group’s NCT Smart Industrial Park (NSIP).

Strategically situated in various locations in the west and southwest of Kuala Lumpur, KLANGGROUP- managed ETP series (industrial factory development projects) and KIIP series (industrial land development projects) are near major expressways, airports and ports, according to the group’s founder and board member Danny Ong.

Danny Ong says the group has completed various ETP & KIIP series developments, namely ETP @ Sungai Puloh, ETP @ Meru Industrial Park, ETP @ Meru Industrial Park 2, ETP @ Sungai Kapar Indah, ETP @ Kapar Bestari, ETP @ Olak Lempit and KIIP @ Kapar.

Meanwhile, touching on the KIIP series, Danny Ong says the 395-acre KIIP @ Kapar Industrial Park was fully sold and completed back in 2021, while the 500-acre KIIP @ Kapar 2 Industrial Park, with limited plots available for sale, is expected to be completed in 2024.

KLANGGROUP has completed various ETP & KIIP series developments, namely ETP @ Sungai Puloh, ETP @ Meru Industrial Park, ETP @ Meru Industrial Park 2, ETP @ Sungai Kapar Indah, ETP @ Kapar Bestari, ETP @ Olak Lempit and KIIP @ Kapar

There are two more industrial parks planned, according to Danny Ong, namely the 128-acre ETP @ KIIP Jenjarom Industrial Park, with a RM733 million gross development value, as well as the 105-acre ETP @ KIIP Kapar Industrial Park, with a GDV of RM850 million, developed by WORLDKLANG GROUP and managed by KLANGGROUP HOLDINGS.

Meanwhile, situated along the border of Negeri Sembilan and Selangor is the industrial component of Bandar Enstek — TH Properties’ 1,134-acre Techpark @ Enstek. Strategically positioned, it is an ideal location for light and medium-sized manufacturing industries with an emphasis on clean and environment-friendly operations.

“Over the years, global corporations such as Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, Pure Circle, Mission Foods and many other renowned brands have established their facilities in Techpark @ Enstek,” TH Properties Group CEO Azman Ibrahim says.

Developed in three phases, Phases 1 and 2 of the industrial park have already been launched, with take-up rates of 98% and 96% respectively. Phase 3, measuring 393.81 acres or 64% of the overall site, is slated to be launched in August this year.

Meanwhile, an industrial park development in its nascent stages, which has already garnered much investor interest thanks to its position as the first certified Managed Industrial Park (MIP) and other accreditation, is NCT Group’s 732-acre NSIP in the Integrated Development Region in South Selangor (IDRISS).

The NSIP, with a total GDV of RM10 billion, comprises three phases and is expected to be completed in 2033, with the 250-acre Phase 1 currently slated for completion in 2025. Phases 2 and 3 will take up 230 acres each. All phases are GreenRE, SDG and ESG-inspired to reduce the industrial park’s carbon footprint and prevent flooding. It is also the first industrial park in Malaysia to receive 5G support from Telekom Malaysia Bhd and is 4IR-inspired.

According to NCT Group group managing director Dato’ Sri Yap Ngan Choy, Phase 1 of the project has already been 50% booked, mostly by local players. However, NSIP has also attracted the attention of foreign investors, as Yap says the group is in discussions with prospective investors from China, Taiwan, Germany and Singapore to firm up their investments in the project.

IDRISS, a private investment development region comprising the districts of Sepang and Kuala Langat, is slated to be a major talking point at SPARK 2023, underpinned by the Selangor government’s strong support of the region.

To usher development into the region, the state government has offered developers incentives in the form of a land premium scheme, interest-free instalment payments on development charges, vacant land assessment tax exemption, a 50% deduction on the vacant building assessment tax, as well as a business licence fee exemption.

Meanwhile, addressing the needs of investors, the state government has offered a fast-track process in which MIP applications will be prioritised by approving authorities. The approval period is seven working days, with land dealing approval applications submitted directly to the Selangor Land and Mines Office.

Equipped with its strategic location (within 12km from KLIA and 5km to all major highways), a one-stop investment solution centre supported by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Invest Selangor, smart security system, artificial intelligence-managed centralised labour quarter with a capacity of 30,000 individuals as well as other attractive amenities, the NSIP is well outfitted to serve the needs of investors and industry players alike.

Overall, SPARK is set to achieve its mission of providing a dynamic platform that serves as a comprehensive showcase of industrial parks and robust investment ecosystem support not only in Selangor but the whole of Malaysia and Asean.

“As a premier platform, SPARK 2023 provides a targeted and conducive environment for industrial park developers to showcase their projects and attract both potential domestic and foreign investors who are coming as SPARK trade visitors to the four-day event,” Hasan says, noting that some of these foreign investors are international delegations who were specially invited to the expo.

SPARK also serves as a catalyst for economic growth by highlighting the advantages and potential of Selangor as a business destination, while industrial solutions players benefit from the exposure to a wide range of industry stakeholders, including investors, decision-makers, government agencies and service providers.

“SPARK offers a unique opportunity for networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration, facilitating the development of strategic partnerships and fostering a supportive ecosystem for industrial development,” Hasan says, adding that by bringing together key players and promoting business opportunities, SPARK actively contributes to the growth and prosperity of Selangor and Malaysia’s business and industrial landscape.

To find out more about Selangor Industrial Park Expo, click HERE