November 20, 2009 22:13 PM

Government Focused On Promoting Quality Brands

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- The Government is focused on promoting quality brands to build consumer loyalty and differentiate Malaysian products and services in the market.

Branding is more than just advertising a name or logo, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, however stressed.

The pursuit of such quality requires rigorous improvements, particularly in product design and packaging, labeling and marketing, he said at Malaysia's top 30 Most Valuable Brands awards tonight.

The combination of strong identity and quality will augur well to reinforce the sustainability of Malaysia's brands in the market place.

To assist companies to integrate branding into their business strategies and practices, the Government has taken several initiatives to facilitate Malaysian companies to create and develop their product and services brands.

The SME-Brand Development Programme aims at assisting companies in transforming their products and services to achieve higher quality and reliability as well as enhance packaging, such that they will be able to become established brand names, he said.

In addition, grants are also provided to companies for the development and promotion of Malaysian brands in the international market.

The Malaysian Brands Directory meanwhile profiles Malaysia's premier brands, particularly highlighting products' strong values, as well as their global appeal.

Various incentives for export promotion activities and brand promotion have also been provided, the minister said.

The growth of more internationally regarded Malaysian brands will further reinforce Malaysia's reputation for quality products and strengthen Malaysia's position in the global marketplace.

This is very much in line with the Government's strategy to encourage Malaysian companies to become part of the global production network by expanding into overseas markets to tap new opportunities and acquire new technologies, he added.

Meanwhile, Public Bank Bhd, with a brand value of RM6.593 billion, emerged as the country's most valuable brand.

The valuation study was commissioned by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia and the Edge business news publication.

Public Bank is one of the five brands in the ranking that are worth at least US$1 billion. Others are Maybank, CIMB, Celcom and Parkson.

-- BERNAMA

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