It is the only one-of-its-kind in Malaysia. It is the only university-driven gallery on wheels. It is the only branding gallery that goes to great lengths to promote SMEs in the country. Welcome on board the Limkokwing Mobile Gallery, Malaysia’s only branding and packaging gallery that travels right to the doorsteps of rural small and medium enterprises.

Limkokwing Mobile Gallery

Now a familiar sight in the heartland of rural Malaysia, the Limkokwing Mobile Gallery is a dynamic collaboration between Limkokwing University and SME Corp Malaysia to assist the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) promote their products and services through branding and packaging. Launched in March, the Gallery had its roots in the Limkokwing Branding Innovation Centre and is a proactive approach initiated by the University to bring the benefits of branding and packaging technology to rural business communities. Fitted with the latest audio and visual facilities, the refurbished bus is scheduled to visit over 20 destinations this year. Its next stop is at Batu Pahat, Johor where a training session will be conducted for SMEs in the town.

Strong brand identity

The man who mooted the idea of the gallery, President of Limkokwing University, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Lim Kok Wing is an advocate of promoting Made- in-Malaysia products through brand and packaging. “Many SMEs don’t feel the need for a strong brand identity because they are focused purely on the local market. But many simply don’t know how to. They often lack knowledge on simple things like permissible ingredients, the Halal logo and functional packaging and skilled talent. There is also a lack of ease of doing business due to over-regulation that stifles innovation. We must look to address these issues.”

Innovative trends

Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, when opening the Limkokwing Branding Innovation Centre in March said brand development is a vital ingredient that local SMEs need to give their products a sense of quality, recognition and global acceptance. “Brand development has evolved tremendously and has become very significant in the business arena. Malaysia has set a vision to become an economy driven by innovation and creativity in order to transform itself from being an upper middle economy into a high-income and advanced economy. Innovation and creativity will be the key to overcoming challenges and ensuring that the country continues to prosper.”

Mobile training sessions

This is a series of one-day training programmes designed for rural business participants to acquire branding knowledge and skills to promote and expand their SME-based products. By bringing the Mobile Gallery - manned by trainers under the SME Corp Malaysia and Limkokwing University collaboration - right to their doorsteps, rural entrepreneurs are able to benefit from the expertise, facilities and resources of the centre without the need to travel to the city for the same quality of branding exposure.

Confidence-building

The training modules are tailored to cover a comprehensive range of topics essential to the transformation of SMEs in Malaysia. The courses are also designed to build the confidence level of participants and to motivate them to move to the next level – taking their products and services to the global market place. Those already running successful businesses may also tap the resources of the Branding Centre for expert advice, packaging tips or solutions to market their produce.

Leapfrog advantage

In complementing Limkokwing University for its initiative, Dato’ Sri Mustapa expressed his wish to see great outcomes for the benefit of SMEs in Malaysia. “I wish to congratulate and extend my appreciation to SME Corp Malaysia and Limkokwing University for this commendable effort and hope that this partnership will leapfrog the achievements of SMEs in making them more visible in the eyes of the world through packaging and branding of Malaysian products and services.” By setting up the Branding Innovation Centre and Mobile Gallery, Limkokwing University has taken the lead to innovate SMEs in the country and helping to shape the development of local brands into global products.