FORUM EKONOMI MALAYSIA 2026

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ACCELERATING GROWTH,
ADVANCING MALAYSIA

5 FEBRUARY 2026
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE

In its second year, Forum Ekonomi Malaysia (FEM) is Malaysia's premier platform to drive the nation's socioeconomic agenda. Building on the momentum of FEM 2025, the 2026 theme — Accelerating Growth, Advancing Malaysia — signals a decisive push into new frontiers of development, anchored on the ambitions of the 13^th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030).

Bringing together policymakers, business leaders, academicians and civil society, FEM 2026 spans conversations on the Made by Malaysia vision; fiscal and monetary policies; trade, investment and global market expansion; AI-driven economy; sustainability and energy transition; future-ready talent; affordable housing; equitable healthcare reforms; and ageing population readiness.

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FIRESIDE CHAT WITH YB TUAN HAJI AKMAL NASRULLAH BIN HAJI MOHD NASIR, MINISTER OF ECONOMY

The 13th Malaysia Plan marks a pivotal phase in delivering the economic, social and sectoral outcomes of the MADANI Economy, translating national aspirations into action through various roadmaps and strategic initiatives. The Plan targets real GDP growth of 4.5%-5.5% per annum, underpinned by resilient domestic consumption, sustained investment upcycle, and restructuring to position Malaysia as a value creation–based economy, anchored on technological capabilities. Central to this transformation is the ambitious goal to elevate Malaysia as a powerhouse that produces globally competitive “Made by Malaysia” products. Join us for this important, forward-looking discussion on Malaysia's economic transformation and policy priorities to move into new frontiers.

PROGRESSING TOWARDS AN AI NATION

Discover how Malaysia is shaping its future as an inclusive and sustainable AI-powered nation by 2030. Discuss the vision behind the National AI Action Plan 2026-2030 covering strategic policies, talent development, infrastructure, ethical practices and investments to build a trusted and competitive ecosystem.

MANAGING SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY TRANSITION

Explore Malaysia's push to deliver sustainable GDP growth, create higher value jobs, and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Discussions will include unlocking investment opportunities of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). The panel will also delve into cross-border renewable energy trade including the ASEAN Power Grid, financing models and public-private partnerships.

MADE BY MALAYSIA: ACCELERATING TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS & INNOVATION

Developing the high-growth, high-value (HGHV) industries and high-impact strategic sectors is essential to advancing economic complexity and progress toward developed status, in line with the MADANI Economy's thrust to raise the ceiling. How can Malaysia drive innovation more effectively in these sectors such as semiconductor? Join the discussion on strengthening Research & Development & Commercialisation & Innovation (R&D&C&I), boosting productivity, and empowering MSMEs to scale and compete globally.

HEALTHCARE REFORM: TOWARDS EQUITABLE, AFFORDABLE & QUALITY HEALTHCARE

Rising medical inflation and disease burdens are universal issues across the world. Malaysia's medical inflation is projected to reach 15% in 2025, compared with 11% in Asia Pacific and 10% worldwide. Discuss reforms to make healthcare more accessible and people-centred through strong governance, innovative financing models including setting up a national health fund and evolving insurance and takaful product design, digital solutions, public-private partnerships, and Rakan KKM initiatives.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSIFICATION AND GLOBAL MARKET EXPANSION

Tariff uncertainties and geopolitics are creating new opportunities while intra-ASEAN trade offer tremendous growth potential with half of its projected 800 million population expected to become middleclass by 2045. Discuss strategies to boost Malaysia's trade and "Made by Malaysia" exports, expand global networks through free trade agreements, and leverage near-shoring for advanced manufacturing. This session also addresses trade friction, ASEAN economic integration and new market opportunities such as BRICS.

HOUSING REFORM: INCREASING QUALITY LIVING, OWNERSHIP & REGULATORY EFFICIENCY

Malaysia's housing landscape continues to face mixed challenges, with house prices rising faster than household incomes, and property price-to-income ratios consistently remaining above the affordability benchmark. What could the future of equitable housing ecosystem look like especially in urban areas? This session explores initiatives to improve liveability and home ownership, including establishing a single housing agency, and advancing Rent-to-Own schemes, IBS (Industrialised Building System), BIM (Building Information Modelling), urban regeneration and regulatory reforms.

BUILDING & ATTRACTING FUTURE READY TALENT

Talent is the cornerstone of any transformation efforts to leapfrog ahead. Examining the Higher Education Policy 2025-2035, this session aims to discuss policy priorities to bridge the academia-industry gap, tackle brain drain and brain gain, ensure competitive wages, and allocate resources efficiently for upskilling and re-skilling to build a future-ready workforce for Malaysia's high-value economy.

PREPARING FOR AN AGEING NATION

Malaysia is projected to become an aged nation by 2048, when the proportion of citizens aged 65 and above reaches 14% of the total population. Guided by the National Ageing Blueprint, join us to navigate Malaysia's demographic transition and implications. Adopting a whole-of-society approach, we will focus on priorities including sustainable long-term care, healthcare system reform, and social protection, to ensure dignity, security and quality of life for Malaysia's ageing population.

FISCAL & MONETARY POLICIES

Malaysia's economic outlook in 2026 is expected to remain resilient with real GDP growth forecasted to be between +4.0-4.5%, sustaining the momentum of the estimated +4.0-4.8% for 2025. Amid continuation in global uncertainties, this session unpacks financing an investment-driven growth, tax and subsidy reforms, monetary policy strategies, and the broader socioeconomic developments that must take place to achieve the aims of the MADANI Economy and address key challenges to growth.

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