KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 16): Selangor aims to become a care industry hub at both the national and Asean levels by 2030, as the state prepares for an ageing population.
State Women Development and Social Welfare Committee chairman Anfaal Saari said that Selangor has become a benchmark for other states in the region in terms of implementing its care industry policies.
"The policies and action plans that we implement are continuous in nature, involving various stakeholders, and we aim to simplify governance and regulation.
"We do not want too much bureaucracy that makes it difficult for the industry to conduct business. Ease of doing business is our main goal and it is continuously pursued through advocacy and promotion," she said.
She told reporters after the "Hot Seat Session" titled "Investment-Ready for the Care Boom: Policy Frameworks and Economic Potential in Selangor," held in conjunction with the Selangor International Care Expo (SICE) 2026 here Friday.
Anfaal noted that among the countries showing interest in investing in Selangor's care industry are South Korea, particularly in technology and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), and Japan, through the Nagoya Institute of Technology, which has developed technology to assist stroke patients.
"When international technology is brought into our country, the expertise we can share with international partners represents a form of long-term investment to ensure the care economy continues to grow," she said.
Meanwhile, State Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said Selangor is the first state in Malaysia with a comprehensive Care Economy Policy, which guides the state’s efforts until 2030.
In his speech, he said the state already has the highest life expectancy in the country, and its senior citizen population is expected to reach around 1.4 million by 2040.
"We want care investments that create skilled, better-paid jobs for our people, work with local businesses, and raise the standard of care for every family. For the state government, a strong economy must translate into a better quality of life for the people.
"Retirement villages, assisted living and rehabilitation centres do not always fit neatly into existing land-use categories. Therefore, we are ready to work with our local councils on clearer guidelines, so that investors know from the start what can be built and where," he added.
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