The care economy goes beyond welfare and charity and is a revenue-generating sector cutting across employment, investments, and sustainable economic growth.

The statement was made by Selangor EXCO member YB

Anfaal Saari at a networking hi-tea recently as she announced the upcoming Selangor International Care Expo (SICE) 2026 that will be held this October.

The care economy refers to both paid and unpaid care work and this includes childcare, elderly care, and care for the disabled. It has been thrusted into the spotlight in the past few years and has been recognised as a backbone to a flourishing Malaysian society.

The concept of care economy has been embedded in Selangor’s policy and branded as Selangor Care Economy as the state brainstorms ways to create more jobs, support families, and make itself more inclusive and productive.

It comes at a time of rising living costs, an increase in the ageing population, and the growing demand for childcare and elder care as more women enter the workforce, leaving a care gap.

90% of caregivers in Malaysia are female, and the policy aims to appreciate, value and pay for their carework and give it the recognition it deserves. This is inline with Malaysia’s race towards achieving the 7 Sustainable Goals (SGDs), which includes achieving gender parity.

Meanwhile, 15.3 per cent of the Malaysian population is predicted to be 60 years old and above by 2030, and the Selangor Care Economy aims to confront this challenge.

Rather than working as a charity, Selangor is streamlining its care policy through an integrated system of services, subsidies, training, and regulation.

This includes better regulated childcare centres, incentives for care providers, expansion of elderly care services which includes nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home-based elder care.

It also acknowledges disability care (OKU support) in the form of strengthening support systems for carers, providing skills training and improving disability-friendly infrastructure.

The Selangor International Care Expo (SICE) 2026

The Selangor International Care Expo (SICE) 2026, rebranded from the previous Selangor International Care Summit (SICS), will be held on 15 to 17 October at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

The exhibition will showcase business matching sessions, investment, and international collaborations on childcare systems, elderly care services, disability support services, caregiver workforce development and assistive technology and health innovation, among others.

Find out more here.