BrandLaureate - SMEs expects 1,000 nominations for awards

KUALA LUMPUR: The organisers of BrandLaureate-SMEs Chapter Awards 2008 hope to receive more than 1,000 nominations from the industry this year.

The inaugural award last year saw about 600 nominations,” BrandLaureate chief executive officer Dr K.K. Johan said.

Nominations are now open and the winners of the awards, which will provide the best platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to position their brands, will be announced on Jan 8.

There would be five new categories - Best Brands in Brand Strategy, Best Brands in Brand Communications, Best Brands in Brand Culture, Best Brands in Innovation and the Most Promising Brand. Johan told a press conference on the awards yesterday.

Organised by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF), the theme for this year’s event is “A Step in Branding, a Leap for Your Brand”.

Deputy Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah who launched the event, urged SMEs to improve on the quality of their products, move up the value chain and meet delivery schedule to gain customers’ confidence.

“This is important in building brand loyalty,” he said.

Saifuddin said SMEs, as the engines of economic growth, were acknowledged by both the Government and the business community.

“The Government has set aside RM1.2bil in financing facilities for the SMEs next year, financial institutions have dedicated departments and telecommunications companies have programmes that cater to SMEs’ needs.

“SMEs now need not worry about financial and infrastructure support, hence they should concentrate on building their brands,” he added.

Also present were APBF’s board of governors, including chairman Tan Sri Elyas Omar.

BrandLaureate’s first brand ambassador, Miss Malaysia/World 2005 Emmeline Ng, unveiled a coffee table book for The BrandLaureate-SMEs Chapter Awards 2007 and a trophy.

Source: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/11/business/2247274&sec=business