SHAH ALAM: Selangor aims to surpass RM500 billion in economic activity value over the next three to four years, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

The goal is achievable through enhanced collaboration between the state government and the private sector, Amirudin added.

In 2023, Selangor made history by reaching an economic activity value of RM406.1 billion, becoming the first Malaysian state to exceed RM400 billion. 

Amirudin said with Selangor's five-year development plan, known as the Rancangan Selangor Pertama (RS-1), surpassing the RM500 billion mark is achievable.

Under RS-1, introduced in 2022, the state government had identified nine high-impact focus industries that would propel and strengthen Selangor's economic development: ports and logistics, digital economy, aerospace, electrical and electronics, mechanical and engineering, halal, automotive, life sciences, tourism, and agrotechnology.

"The RS-1 is the first plan in Malaysia, which includes both government and private sector projects. All in all, we have a list of 282 projects valued at more than RM3 trillion. We have good collaborations with the private sector, and we hope to remain the main contributor to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

"The RS-1 is crucial for Selangor to achieve its aspirations of becoming a smart, livable, and prosperous state by 2025," Amirudin said at the ground-breaking ceremony of the SkyCity Tower in i-City here today.

Selangor led in economic growth last year, contributing 25.9 per cent to the country's GDP.

This was an increase of 0.4 per cent from its contribution of 25.5 per cent in 2022, according to the Statistics Department.

Selangor recorded the highest economic growth in the country, with a 5.4 per cent increase from 2022.

Amirudin said the tourism services sector has been identified as a key driver of Selangor's economy, and products like SkyCity are important to move the industry.

"i-City has demonstrated its commitment to continuous innovation excellence in the tourism sector. Today, i-City is not just adding exciting new games. With the addition of SkyCity, i-City has taken a solid step in supporting the state government's efforts to realise the vision of Visiting Selangor 2025," he said.

Amiruddin said Selangor aims to bring in seven million tourists in conjunction with Visit Selangor 2025.

"The management of i-City informed me that with the addition of SkyCity, they are committed to contributing 70 per cent of the targeted tourist arrivals. Looking at SkyCity's planning, I am confident that i-City can achieve this target," he said.

SkyCity, featuring a 600-metre glass slide, will be the country's tallest glass water slide standing at a height of 60 metre. 

It is set to open on Dec 11 this year, coinciding with the birthday of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. 

Tengku Datuk Seri Ahmad Shah Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, chairman of i-City Selangor said the new attraction, coupled with the existing tourism products in i-City, is expected to play a crucial role in the success of Visit Selangor 2025.

"We aim to draw about five million local and international tourists next year. We believe that our efforts will help Selangor surpass its seven million tourist target in 2025," he said in his speech.

Tengku Ahmad Shah said i-City has a long-standing reputation for being at the forefront of urban development and tourism in Selangor. 

He noted that i-City plays a vital role in supporting the tourism industry through leisure and hospitality activities that reflect a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2024/08/1087498/selangor-eyes-exceeding-rm500bil-economic-acvities-over-three