Middle left: His Highness Tengku Amir Shah Ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, The Crown Prince of Selangor presents an award to representatives of Japanese companies in conjunction with Selangor Week at the Malaysia Pavilion, Expo 2025 Osaka.
Celebrating long-standing regional ties while unlocking new pathways in industry, culture, and global engagement
OSAKA, JAPAN, May 6 (Bernama) -- Selangor Week which is organised by Invest Selangor officially opens yesterday at Expo 2025 Osaka, marking the beginning of a powerful showcase of strategic partnerships, cultural exchange, and global collaboration. Held at the Malaysia Pavilion, the week- long programme positions Selangor as a forward-looking, globally connected state where technology, culture and youth drive innovation and resilience.
The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of His Highness Tengku Amir Shah Ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, The Crown Prince of Selangor, accompanied by Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, Chief Minister of Selangor; Dato' Dr. Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin, Selangor State Secretary; Ng Sze Han, Selangor State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade and Mobility; together with His Excellency Dato' Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany, Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan and Malaysia Pavilion Director, Ellyza Mastura Ahmad Hanipiah.
Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, Chief Minister of Selangor said “Selangor represents the Malaysia of tomorrow that is dynamic, inclusive and globally connected. From energy transformation to education, tourism and creative industries, we are creating a state where technology, talent and culture work hand in hand to unlock long-term value. Through strategic partnerships and bold ideas, we are inviting the world to invest not only in our economy but in a shared and sustainable future.”
The opening ceremony also features the formalisation of two strategic collaborations led by Worldwide Holdings Berhad, the strategic investment arm of the Selangor State Government. The first agreement outlines a joint effort to explore the development of an integrated gas infrastructure network in Selangor, including a liquefied natural gas receiving terminal, lateral pipelines and downstream gas distribution systems. This collaboration reinforces Selangor’s role in supporting Malaysia’s low-carbon transition and enhances the state’s long-term energy security.
A separate memorandum signed between Tourism Selangor, the National Association of Private Educational Institutions and the Japan Travel Bureau Malaysia strengthens ties between Malaysia and Japan by promoting Selangor as a leading destination for education tourism. This initiative includes joint promotional campaigns and student exchange programmes that aim to position Selangor as a regional hub for learning and cultural engagement. This is in line with Visit Selangor Year 2025 campaign in Osaka, an effort to attract eight million tourist arrivals and generate RM11.7 billion in tourism receipts by the end of next year. With the tagline “Surprising Selangor”, the campaign invites travellers to discover the unexpected, from thrilling outdoor adventures to immersive cultural experiences and the genuine warmth of Selangor’s communities.
The programme also includes the announcement of a new collaboration between Selangor FC, HARO Sports and Entertainment and SUPER GT Malaysia, which combines the excitement of football and motorsports to create immersive crossover fan experiences. Through this partnership, fans enjoy unique privileges across both sporting events and engage with exclusive co-branded content and merchandise that redefine how sport connects people in Selangor.
Meanwhile, at the heart of the launch is Mechamato as Selangor week’s mascot, a beloved Malaysian character who now symbolises the spirit of Selangor at Expo 2025. The vision of Mechamato captures the state’s vision where homegrown creativity meets technological imagination and where the next generation is empowered to shape a more inclusive and innovative future.
Selangor Week also serves as a platform to honour longstanding Japanese partners through the Selangor Japan Investors Appreciation Awards. The ceremony recognises more than six decades of meaningful contributions to Selangor’s economic development.
“Selangor Week at Expo 2025 Osaka is more than a showcase. It is a statement of intent. We are here to build bridges, deepen our ties with Japan and the global community, and spotlight Selangor’s readiness to lead in sustainable development, industrial innovation and regional collaboration. The Japanese companies we honour today have played an instrumental role in our journey and we look forward to shaping the next chapter of growth together,” added Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Among the honourees are companies that shape the state’s industrial landscape through sustained investment, technological excellence and local job creation. These include Canon Inc., Daiki Aluminium Industry Co., Ltd., Daikin Industries Ltd., and DENSO Corporation. Also recognised are Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. (Mitsui Kinzoku) Nichia Corporation, Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd., Panasonic Holdings Corporation and Sony Group Corporation. These companies represent the strength and depth of the partnership between Japan and Selangor. Their continued investment affirms the state’s stability, global competitiveness.
As Selangor Week progresses, the state welcomes investors, partners and collaborators to build on these foundations and shape a resilient future together.
Meanwhile Malaysia Pavilion Director, Ellyza Mastura Ahmad Hanipiah said, “On behalf of the pavilion, we take immense pride in serving as the cornerstone for Selangor’s continued pursuit of global collaboration and investment excellence. Committed to fostering meaningful partnerships, we stand dedicated to supporting initiatives that expand economic opportunities and strengthen international ties. Aligned with our target of securing RM13 billion in potential trade and investments as well as welcoming 1.5 million visitors, we remain steadfast in our mission to create a dynamic platform for engagement, innovation, and sustainable growth on the stage of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai” she said.
About Invest Selangor Berhad:Invest Selangor Berhad (ISB) is the state government agency responsible for promoting and facilitating investment in Selangor, Malaysia. With its commitment to providing investors with the ease of doing business, ISB ensures investors have a hassle-free investment journey. The agency offers a comprehensive suite of services, including site selection assistance, investment facilitation, and aftercare services. ISB is dedicated to providing investors with a conducive business environment, which includes streamlined procedures, efficient services, and access to industry insights and networks. This commitment to investor ease of mind has made Selangor an attractive investment destination for local and foreign investors. With ISB's support, investors can focus on their business operations and leave the administrative matters to the agency, giving them the peace of mind they need to grow their investments in Selangor. For Selangor investment enquiries, please visit
www.investselangor.my About the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2025 OsakaThe Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka spans 2,654.52 square meters across three floors, reflecting the nation’s diverse culture and dynamic economy. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the pavilion draws inspiration from Malaysia’s weaving tradition and iconic songket, symbolising heritage interwoven with innovation. With the theme “Weaving a Future in Harmony”, the Pavilion highlights Malaysia’s commitment to a sustainable, inclusive and forward- looking future.
The Pavilion is shaped by three narrative pillars: Human and Human, showcasing Malaysia as a cultural bridge and heritage champion; Human and Technology, positioning the country as an innovation-ready partner; and Human and Nature, emphasising environmental stewardship. These narratives are guided by four core principles: harmony, diversity, progress and sustainability.
Over 26 weeks, the Pavilion will be a hub for international collaboration and dialogue. Business weeks will feature participation from 21 ministries, 70 agencies and 10 state governments, with programmes including pocket talks, product launches, MoU signings and business matching sessions. The Pavilion will also host forums, summits and networking events that position Malaysia as a dynamic global partner. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) leads Malaysia’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka, overseeing the Pavilion’s design, programming and international engagement. To find out more about the Malaysia Pavilion and its programmes, visit the official website at
https://expo2025-malaysia.miti.gov.my
