KUALA LUMPUR, 24 October 2013 –  Another 22 companies received their certifications for the National Mark of Malaysian Brands (NMMB) during the Malaysian Brand Forum 2013 at the The Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. H.R.H. Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah Ibni Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, the Regent of Perak Darul Ridzuan graced this Event and presented the certificates and trophies to the successful recipients of the NMMB.

Themed “From Kampung to the World”, the event serves as a platform to promote the recipients and to encourage the public to buy products or hire services which are certified with the National Mark of Malaysian Brand, thus making our SMEs feel proud to carry Malaysia’s branding par excellence to the world centre stage.

The NMMB is one of the strategic initiatives under the SME-Brand Development Programme which is aimed at promoting greater market access to SMEs that have proven to be capable suppliers of products and services. The programme is also a part of the Government’s aim on changing Malaysians’ perception on home-grown brands, vis-a-vis the quality and standards of the dominant international brands.

“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”, said YB Datuk Ir. Haji Hamim Samuri, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in his address during the event.

Since the inception of this initiative in 2009, 132 companies have applied for this certification of which 77 have been certified, while others are in various process of evaluation. These proud 77 companies bring with them not only good, measureable home grown brands, but what’s important is that their products and services stand tall as they bring with it attributes of Quality, Excellence and Distinction.

Among the highlights of the event includes a Forum which focused on exploring new approaches to branding, in order to encourage the development of companies mainly SMEs in Malaysia as well as to provide a valuable and effective platform for participants to share their experiences and information on branding initiatives. The Reputable Speakers, Datuk Lat, Malaysia’s foremost Cartoonist and Mr. Giulio Xiloyannis, Director of Zalora Malaysia had shared their experiences and strategic ways to manage brands.

The event was also attended by YBhg. Datuk Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, Secretary-General of MITI, YBhg. Datuk Ir. (Dr.) Mohamed Al Amin Hj. Abdul Majid, Chairman of SME Corp. Malaysia, YBhg. Dato’ Hafsah Hashim, Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia and Pn Khalidah Mustafa, Managing Director of SIRIM QAS.

For more information please contact Mr. Faiz R Sutarji (General Inquiry) at 03-2775 6014 or email – faizramzi@smecorp.gov.my , Ms. Maslinda Zulkifly (National Mark of Malaysian Brand) at 03-2775 6181 or email – maslinda@smecorp.gov.my.

PERBADANAN PERUSAHAAN KECIL DAN SEDERHANA MALAYSIA (SME CORP. MALAYSIA)
Level 6, SME 1, Block B, Platinum Sentral,
Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral,
50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Telephone: 603-2775 6000
Fax: 603-2775 6001
Website: http://www.smecorp.gov.my
E-mail: info@smecorp.gov.my

SME Corp. Malaysia

SMIDEC was established under the Small and Medium Entreprises Corporation Malaysia Act 1995 (Act 539) and was later rebranded as SME Corporation Malaysia on 2 October 2009.

SME Corp. Malaysia assumes the task as the central coordinating agency to formulate overall policies and strategies for SMEs, and to coordinate programmes across 15 Ministries and 60 Agencies. SME Corp. Malaysia is the central point of reference for research and data dissemination on SMEs in Malaysia and positions itself as the single point of contact for all information and advisory services through its One Referral Centre ( ORC ), located at its premises in Platinum Sentral.

An agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI), SME Corp. Malaysia assumes the role of the Secretariat to the National SME Development Council (NSDC), which is chaired by the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia. SME Corp. Malaysia has also been tasked to implement and drive the SME Masterplan 2012-2020, in horizontal collaboration with other Ministries and agencies to ensure that our SMEs – the building blocks of our nation‟s economic growth, are transformed, to better serve the nation.