Selangor is set to bring together manufacturers, technology companies, investors, policymakers and researchers from Malaysia and across ASEAN at the Selangor Techsphere Summit 2026, as the state continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing, industrial technology and investment.
The four-day summit will be held from October 14 to 17 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and is expected to provide a platform for industry players to explore the latest developments in artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, smart manufacturing and other advanced digital technologies.
Registration for Selangor Techsphere Summit 2026 is now open.
Hosted by the Selangor State Government and delivered in collaboration with the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre, the event is being held as part of the Selangor International Business Summit 2026.
Powered by HANNOVER MESSE, the world’s leading industrial technology platform, the Selangor Techsphere Summit is designed to connect businesses with technology providers, investors, policymakers and industry experts while creating opportunities for knowledge sharing and business collaboration.
The summit comes at a time when manufacturers across Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region are facing significant changes in the way they operate.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence, increasing adoption of automation and robotics, growing demand for energy efficiency and changes in global supply chains are pushing companies to review their production strategies and business operations.
For manufacturers, the challenge is not simply about acquiring new technology. Companies also need to determine how those technologies can be integrated into existing operations, how employees can be trained to work with new systems and how investment in technology can contribute to productivity and long-term competitiveness.
This is expected to be among the key areas of discussion throughout the four-day programme.
Selangor Chief Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin Bin Shari said the state had established itself as one of Malaysia’s most important industrial and investment destinations and would continue working with industry to support innovation and growth.
“Selangor has established itself as one of Malaysia’s most important industrial and investment destinations. As manufacturers respond to rapid developments in technology, sustainability and global supply chains, it is important that the government and industry work together to create the conditions for continued innovation and growth,” he said.
He added that the Selangor Techsphere Summit would provide businesses with opportunities to access new ideas, technologies and partnerships while contributing to the next phase of Selangor’s industrial development.
The focus on practical industrial applications is expected to be one of the main features of this year’s summit.
Rather than looking at technology purely from a theoretical perspective, discussions will examine how artificial intelligence, industrial automation, robotics and digital technologies can be applied to real-world manufacturing and business operations.
The programme will also cover areas including semiconductor manufacturing, energy efficiency, workforce development, investment and regional industrial growth.
The semiconductor sector is expected to receive particular attention as Malaysia continues to strengthen its role in the global semiconductor supply chain.
With the industry becoming increasingly dependent on advanced manufacturing technologies, automation and highly skilled workers, companies operating in this sector are facing growing pressure to improve efficiency while maintaining quality and competitiveness.
The summit will provide an opportunity for industry players to discuss these developments alongside broader issues affecting manufacturing in Malaysia and ASEAN.
Two speakers have also been confirmed to bring international and local industry perspectives to the event.
Alex Capri, a former US Treasury Department official and a recognised authority on geopolitics and techno-nationalism, will deliver the opening-day keynote address.
His participation comes as technology and geopolitics become increasingly connected, particularly in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and global technology supply chains.
For businesses operating in ASEAN, changes in international trade policies and technology-related competition between major economies are becoming increasingly important considerations when making investment and supply chain decisions.
On the second day of the summit, newly appointed Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing President Jacob Lee Chor Kok will deliver the opening address, providing a perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Malaysia’s manufacturing sector.
His involvement is expected to add further focus to issues such as productivity, technology adoption, workforce development and the competitiveness of Malaysian manufacturers.
The four-day programme has been organised around different areas of industrial development.
The first day, on October 14, will focus on artificial intelligence and the digital economy, looking at the practical use of AI and digital technologies across industry and the wider economy.
The second day, October 15, will focus on semiconductors and microelectronics, with discussions covering advanced manufacturing, automation and technologies that can help improve industrial productivity and competitiveness.
On October 16, the focus will shift to green technology and smart automation, with discussions examining how manufacturers can improve operational efficiency while responding to sustainability, energy and resource-efficiency requirements.
The final day, October 17, will focus on governance, talent and TVET 4.0, addressing the skills and workforce capabilities required to support the continued development of advanced manufacturing.
The emphasis on talent reflects the changing nature of industrial work.
As factories introduce more automated systems and companies adopt artificial intelligence and other digital technologies, employees will increasingly need technical skills that complement these technologies.
For Malaysia, developing the right workforce will be important if the country is to take advantage of opportunities created by advanced manufacturing and new technology investments.
This also places greater importance on technical and vocational education and training, particularly as industries look for workers who can operate, maintain and manage increasingly sophisticated machinery and digital systems.
Mike Nissen, Senior Commercial Director of Hannover Fairs Asia-Pacific, said industrial transformation involved more than simply adopting individual technologies.
“Industrial transformation is no longer simply about adopting individual technologies. It requires manufacturers to align technology, people, investment and long-term business strategy,” he said.
He added that the support of the Selangor State Government and the global industrial network of HANNOVER MESSE would enable the summit to connect regional industry leaders with practical expertise, proven solutions and potential partners.
Apart from the conference programme, visitors will have access to technology showcases, curated business meetings and networking sessions involving companies and organisations from different parts of the industrial ecosystem.
These activities are expected to provide opportunities for manufacturers to identify technology solutions, explore potential partnerships and gain a better understanding of developments taking place across the regional industrial landscape.
The business engagement element is particularly relevant as companies across ASEAN continue to reassess their supply chains and investment strategies.
Malaysia has been attracting increasing attention from companies looking to establish or expand manufacturing operations in the region, while Selangor remains an important location because of its established industrial base, infrastructure, connectivity and access to a large pool of businesses and skilled workers.
The Selangor Techsphere Summit is therefore expected to serve not only as a technology event but also as a meeting point for businesses looking at future investment and expansion opportunities.
The 2025 edition of the summit attracted 1,535 attendees, 21 exhibitors and 39 speakers from more than 15 countries.
The response provided an indication of the growing interest in industrial technology and the need for closer cooperation between government, manufacturers, technology providers and other stakeholders.
The 2026 edition is expected to build on that momentum with a broader focus on technology adoption, investment, workforce development and regional industrial cooperation.
The timing also reflects the wider changes taking place across the manufacturing sector.
Connecting Industry and Government
Across four days, the Selangor Techsphere Summit 2026 will examine the major forces shaping the future of industry, with each day dedicated to a distinct business and operational priority:
- Day 1 – Wednesday, 14 October: AI & The Digital Economy
Exploring the practical application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies across industry and the wider economy. - Day 2 – Thursday, 15 October: Semiconductors & Microelectronics
Focusing on advanced manufacturing, automation and the technologies strengthening industrial productivity and competitiveness. - Day 3 – Friday, 16 October: Green Tech & Smart Automation
Examining how manufacturers can strengthen operational resilience while responding to sustainability, energy and resource-efficiency priorities. - Day 4 – Saturday, 17 October: Governance, Talent & TVET 4.0
Addressing the skills, workforce capabilities and leadership needed to support the next phase of industrial transformation.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to analyse data and support business decisions, while automation and robotics are becoming more common in production environments. Smart manufacturing technologies are also enabling companies to monitor equipment, improve production processes and manage resources more efficiently.
At the same time, sustainability and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important as businesses look for ways to reduce operating costs and meet changing environmental requirements.
These developments are taking place alongside changes in global supply chains, making resilience another important consideration for manufacturers.
Companies are now looking more closely at where their materials and components come from, how quickly they can respond to disruptions and how technology can help them maintain production and manage costs.
For manufacturers, this means that technology adoption has become closely linked to broader business planning.
The Selangor Techsphere Summit 2026 will provide an opportunity for these issues to be discussed from different perspectives, bringing together those developing the technology with those using it in factories, businesses and industrial operations.
For Selangor, the summit also represents part of a wider effort to strengthen the state’s industrial ecosystem and attract more technology-driven investment.
The state has traditionally been one of Malaysia’s key manufacturing centres, but the direction of global industry is changing. Maintaining that position will require continued investment in technology, infrastructure, skills and innovation.
By bringing industry leaders, technology companies, investors and government representatives together, the summit aims to create opportunities for businesses to better understand these changes and identify areas where they can work together.
As ASEAN’s manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, the ability to adopt new technologies while developing the skills and business capabilities needed to support them will become increasingly important.
The Selangor Techsphere Summit 2026 is set to provide a platform for that discussion, bringing together regional industry players to examine the technologies, investment opportunities and workforce capabilities that will shape the next phase of industrial development in Malaysia and ASEAN.
