The "Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation" (Sidec) is set to take centre stage once again with its highly anticipated Selangor "Smart City & Digital Economy Convention" (SDEC).
Part of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS), the four-day convention will start on Oct 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, and promises to be a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and investment opportunities in the realm of smart cities and digital economies.
With a strong focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, SDEC 2023 is poised to take the summit to new heights.
SIDEC chief executive officer Yong Kai Ping says this year marks the eighth edition of SDEC, which also stands out as a milestone in its evolution due to the broadening of the topics to include sustainability.
“As the world grapples with climate change and the urgent need for a net-zero transition, the convention has embarked on a dual transformation of digitalisation and sustainability to foster resilient and environmentally responsible smart cities,” says Yong.
Connecting businesses since day one
“Since its inception in 2016, the convention has grown in size and scope, attracting a broader audience of stakeholders from various industries, including technology experts, policymakers, entrepreneurs and researchers,” Yong says.
This growth has allowed SDEC to become a platform for industry leaders, start-ups, SMEs as well as players from the public and private sectors to engage in a discussion on the new normal and emerging trends.
“When it comes to knowledge-sharing and awareness, SDEC, being the largest conference in its domain, has a responsibility to keep stakeholders informed about the latest trends and best practices in smart cities and digital economies,” he says.
Among SDEC's past successes was a collaboration between local councils, namely Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), with a start-up specialising in artificial intelligence-powered traffic management systems.
“They connected at a SDEC convention, and the partnership led to a pilot project that significantly reduced traffic congestion and improved public transport efficiency in the city.
“This success story underscores the potential of SDEC to bring together city governments and innovative start-ups, creating win-win partnerships that benefit entire communities,” shares Yong.
It is also worth noting that the total value of transactions that SIDEC has garnered from SDEC over the last five years stands at RM242 million.
This year, SIDEC is targeting to achieve RM150 million in investment value at SIBS2023, three times higher than the RM50 million it achieved last year.
“Through SDEC, we recognise the critical role that investments play in transforming visionary ideas into impactful solutions. By setting a target investment value of RM150 million, we aim to create an environment that encourages fruitful interactions between start-ups, businesses and investors,” notes Yong.
Igniting success beyond conference
At the upcoming convention, SDEC will offer insightful dialogues for three days on various topics and discussions, namely, SME Digitalisation Summit — Driving Million Dollar Growth in the Digital Era, SME ESG Summit — Accelerating Sustainable Transformation in Food and Beverage (F&B), as well as Retail Supply Chains and AI, Net Zero and Biotech Investor Summit.
“This year, we are expanding our focus on successful case studies and implementations by local and international technology leaders. We will also be providing an overview of the industry in one place, giving attendees the opportunity to learn from experts and network with other professionals,” Yong adds.
He also highlights one of SDEC's key theme programmes, which focuses on building the Million Dollar Growth Club where start-ups and businesses can unlock new opportunities, secure investments, and achieve remarkable milestones.
“The Million Dollar Growth Club showcases the immense potential for growth and success that lies within the smart city and digital economy sectors,” he says.
Moreover, SDEC will also provide a networking zone, strategically located in the middle of the exhibition hall. “This zone is designed to be a hub for start-ups and SMEs seeking funding, as well as for investors scouting for promising investment opportunities. It is a place where ideas meet capital. Start-ups can pitch directly to venture capitalists, and investors can connect with start-ups in their preferred sectors,” he explains.
SDEC will also host structured business matching sessions, and curated one-on-one meetings between start-ups and investors, where participants can target potential collaborators that are aligned in their interests and goals.
On top of that, SDEC aims to have up to 250 booths this year, which will provide opportunities for start-ups from various industries to showcase their products and services to a wider audience.
“Our convention is not just about showcasing technology, but it is also about building an ecosystem where innovation thrives. Whether it’s through the demo day, networking zone, business matching sessions or the expanded booths — we are creating spaces where meaningful connections are made and potential partnerships are forged.
“That is the essence of what we are trying to achieve, and I’m excited to see it all come to life,” Yong concludes.
To find out more and register your interest about Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention (SDEC), please visit https://www.sidec.com.my/sdec/.
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Quelle/Source: The Edge Malaysia, 30.08.2023
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