FEM 2026 attracted close to 5,000 registrations, including invited representatives from institutional investors with combined asset under management (AUM) of US$7.3 trillion, and corporates with combined market capitalisation of US$226 billion. Building on the strong momentum of its inaugural edition, FEM 2026, themed “Accelerating Growth, Advancing Malaysia,” served as the nation’s premier platform for strategic dialogue on transitioning to a developed, high-income nation by promoting High Growth, High Value (HGHV) industries, inclusivity, sustainability, and the values of the MADANI Economy.
Focusing on key issues shaping the country’s future, FEM 2026 encompassed conversations on realising the “Made by Malaysia” ambition; fiscal and monetary policies; trade, investment and global market expansion; AI (artificial intelligence) nation; sustainability and energy transition; future-ready talent; housing reform; healthcare reform; and ageing population readiness. With AI as a foremost topic, Tom Gruber, the co-founder of Siri and an AI technology pioneer, delivered the Plenary Address on “Humanistic AI for Malaysia”.
Each discussion panel, anchored by a Minister, Deputy Minister or senior policymaker, examined the progress, strategies and initiatives of key national blueprints, including the National Energy Transition Roadmap, New Industrial Master Plan, National Semiconductor Strategy, and the recently launched National Education Plan, and upcoming National AI Action Plan.
“Year 2026 is pivotal, marking the start of executing the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan. In ensuring effectiveness, we aim to mobilise collective action by taking a collaborative approach. Building on the success of last year’s FEM, inclusivity is central to the success of this event, reflecting the government’s commitment to translate policy priorities into beneficial outcomes,” said YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah, Minister of Economy.
YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah added, “While Malaysia has been recording steady growth despite trade uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, we remain alert of the challenges ahead. In an increasingly fragmented and unpredictable environment, investors seek certainty and policy predictability from middle-power, trade-dependent economies like Malaysia. FEM will enable government ministries to articulate their roadmaps and provide businesses with clarity and confidence to invest in Malaysia for the long-term.”
Elevating the event as a forum for shaping Malaysia’s socioeconomic future, FEM 2026 brought together leading institutions, Maybank and Bursa Malaysia as Principal Strategic Partners, HSBC as Strategic Partner, alongside the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and MBSB Bank as Supporting Partners.
“As Malaysia’s largest bank and a leading financial institution in ASEAN, Maybank continues to play a key role in supporting the government’s execution of strategic initiatives, aligned with Maybank’s ROAR30 strategy. Malaysia is entering 2026 on a firm footing, bolstered by the ongoing investment upcycle and broadening AI boom. Against this backdrop, FEM is a unique forum to gain forward-looking perspectives from both government and industry leaders on navigating growth opportunities in a new multi-polar world,” said Dato’ Sri Khairussaleh Ramli, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Maybank.
“FEM 2026 is timely as Malaysia enters the execution phase of the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, requiring multi-faceted alignment on the actions needed to move the economy forward. As this work progresses, Malaysia’s capital market provides the pathway for ideas to access capital, for businesses to grow, and for innovation to scale across High Growth, High Value sectors. With 1,105 listed companies and more than RM2.1 trillion in market capitalisation, Bursa Malaysia plays a central role in mobilising investments that drive innovation, create jobs and generate economic value, advancing Malaysia’s long-term growth ambitions,” said Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia.
