Platform for SMEs to develop local brands

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asia Pacific Brands Foundation aims to provide the best platform for
local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop Malaysian brands to effectively
position themselves among the top 100 global brands.

In line with the Government’s objectives of assisting the development of SMEs and to
nurture upcoming brands to be major brands, the foundation launched The BrandLaureate –
SMEs Chapter Award 2007 yesterday.

The BrandLaureate chief executive officer Dr K.K. Johan said the award would strive to
raise the branding standard and honour the best brands from SMEs in Malaysia and the
Asia-Pacific.

Brand building was a long-term process, he said, adding that SMEs should go forward and
expand but maintain Malaysian values and identity.

“SMEs in Malaysia possess a fertile ground of brands and we are confident that the next
global brand will emerge from SMEs,” he told reporters after launching the award with
Deputy Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Khamsiyah Yeop.

Also present were foundation chairman Datuk Syed Amin Aljeffri, deputy chairman W.T. Seah
and secretary general-cumaward organising chairman Raja Datuk Ropiaah Raja Abdullah.


From left: Dr K.K.Johan, Datuk Syed Amin Aljeffri, Datuk Khamsiyah Yeop, Datuk Ropiaah
Raja Abdullah and W.T. Seah posing with a sample of the trophy and certificate
Khamsiyah said the Government was committed to the development of the SMEs and this was
seen in the support given by the 12 ministries and 38 agencies tasked with specific
objectives aimed at particular target groups.

“Recognising that funding is a major problem encountered by SMEs, a total of RM3.9bil has
been put aside for 2007 to assist them in various aspects, like incubator development
programmes, investment in IT (information technology) and, most important of all,
branding,” she said.

She also said under the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp, a fund of RM200mil had
been established to provide matching grants to develop and upgrade local brands for
overseas markets.

Khamsiyah urged SMEs to consider venturing into new industries or developing their brands
in the “blue ocean”, referring to the untapped and uncontested markets or industries that
provide little competition.

She also encouraged SMEs to evoke their entrepreneurial spirit, distinguish their brands
and be the next wave of brand leaders.

Nomination forms for the award can be obtained from the Award Secretariat or downloaded
from The BrandLaureate’s website.

Deadline of submission is Oct 30 and the winners will be announced on Jan 8.

The event partners are Sirim Bhd, Asean Business Advisory Council (Malaysia Chapter),
SMEs International Malaysia and Women SME Association of Malaysia, while The Star is one
of the official media partners.

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source:

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/29/business/20070829090016&sec=business