Sidec leads Malaysian startup delegation to Smart City Summit & Expo 2026 in Taiwan

• Aimed at driving cross-border collaboration in smart city and digital innovation sectors
• Positioned Malaysian startups within global smart city ecosystems to drive collaboration, market expansion

The Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) led a delegation of ten Malaysian startups to the Smart City Summit & Expo (SCSE) 2026 in Taipei and Kaohsiung, aimed at expanding international collaboration and market access within the global smart city ecosystem.

The delegation featured companies including Citysage Sdn Bhd, Dataverse Sdn Bhd, DespaQ, HiTerra AI, IOMINSIGHT Sdn Bhd, New Energy Centre Malaysia Sdn Bhd, PAIX Tech, Rymba, VEE Berhad, and Xtractify Sdn Bhd, representing a cross-section of innovation in areas such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, energy, and urban solutions.

Held from 17 to 20 March in Taipei, SCSE 2026 brought together participants from 53 countries. The Sidec-led delegation took part in exhibition showcases, public pitching sessions, and curated engagements, providing opportunities to present their solutions to international stakeholders and gain insights into global technology trends.

Sidec said the programme is part of its ongoing efforts to support Malaysian startups in scaling beyond domestic markets and building cross-border partnerships in sectors aligned with smart city development.

During the event, the delegation engaged with government and industry representatives, including officials from Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs. Discussions focused on potential areas of collaboration in digital infrastructure, smart city solutions, and emerging technologies.

The programme continued in Kaohsiung from 20 to 22 March, where the delegation participated in further engagements at the southern leg of the expo. Meetings with Kaohsiung deputy mayor Lin Chin-Rong highlighted opportunities for deeper cooperation in urban innovation and smart city initiatives.

The visit also included engagement with the Taipei Computer Association (TCA), Taiwan’s largest ICT industry body, to explore potential industry partnerships and knowledge exchange between Malaysia and Taiwan’s technology ecosystems.

In addition, the delegation visited Tron Energy Technology Corporation, gaining insights into developments in sustainable mobility, including battery technologies, electric vehicles, and intelligent transport systems. The visit provided exposure to advanced manufacturing capabilities supporting the transition to cleaner and more efficient urban mobility solutions.

Sidec noted that participation in SCSE 2026 enabled Malaysian startups to strengthen regional networks, explore collaboration opportunities, and better understand international market requirements.

The initiative reflects Sidec’s broader strategy to position Malaysian startups within global innovation ecosystems, particularly in high-growth areas such as smart cities, digital infrastructure, and clean energy.

By facilitating international exposure and engagement, Sidec aims to support the development of competitive, export-ready technology companies while contributing to the advancement of Malaysia’s digital economy.