Selangor has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by connecting them with multinational corporations (MNCs), mid-tier companies (MTCs) and industry anchor players to participate in high-value global supply chains.
The Invest Selangor Business Linkages & Advancement Programme (BLAST), launched by Invest Selangor Bhd, is designed to improve the operational capabilities, market readiness and competitiveness of local SMEs through structured capacity building and industry partnerships.
The programme was officiated by Selangor State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade and Mobility Ng Sze Han.
BLAST will run for six months and provide selected SMEs with capability development programmes, corporate mentorship and business readiness initiatives before culminating in business-matching sessions at the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026, scheduled from Oct 14 to 17 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The inaugural cohort consists of 12 SMEs across four strategic sectors identified as key growth areas for Selangor’s economy, namely aerospace, rail, life sciences and digital technology.
Ng said attracting investments was only part of Selangor’s economic strategy, with the state also focused on ensuring local businesses benefit from incoming investment opportunities.
“While we take pride in Selangor’s continued success in attracting investments, that is only part of our mission. Our greater responsibility is to ensure that these investments generate meaningful and lasting opportunities for Selangor businesses, particularly our SMEs.
“BLAST is not simply about matching SMEs with strategic corporate partners, it is about preparing them for success. By strengthening their capabilities and connecting them to high-value supply chains, we are empowering our SMEs to become globally competitive while maximising the long-term benefits of investment for Selangor,” he said.
The initiative is introduced under the RS-2: Local Market Integration Programme, building on the industrial foundation established under the First Selangor Plan (RS-1).
Selangor has continued to attract strong investment momentum, recording RM33.5 billion in approved investments in the first quarter of 2026. The state also contributed RM460.1 billion to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, representing 26.5% of national GDP.
Unlike conventional business-matching efforts, BLAST focuses on developing long-term partnerships between SMEs and larger industry players by helping businesses improve their operational standards, meet international requirements and expand into regional markets.
The programme is delivered through a collaboration between Invest Selangor and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), which will oversee the SME capacity-building component alongside corporate and ecosystem partners.
MTDC Group Chief Executive Officer Ts Mohammad Hazani Hassan said BLAST would create structured opportunities for SMEs to engage with anchor companies and improve their readiness for strategic supply chains.
“Through BLAST, we are creating structured pathways for promising SMEs to engage with anchor companies, strengthen their industry readiness and compete for opportunities within strategic supply chains,” he said.
Invest Selangor aims for the programme to generate at least 5% revenue growth among participating SMEs by 2030 while supporting the development of a more integrated and resilient business ecosystem in Selangor.
