MDI helps Terengganu to develop products

Nanyang Siang Pau, 12 September 2005

The Malaysia Design Innovation Centre is collaborating with the Government and small- and medium-sized enterprises in training, branding and packaging programmes. The aim is to help them market brand-name products in the global marketplace, says Tan Sri Dato’ Lim Kok Wing.

"Branding is vital. However, the branding process takes time. It took Limkokwing nearly 10 years to promote its brand abroad," he adds.

Providing training and brand development is the Malaysia Design Innovation Centre (MDI), which was established in February 2004. It was later declared open by Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Occupying 12 hectares of land in Cyberjaya, MDI houses the Malaysia Branding & Packaging Design Centre. For the first time, the latter is working hand in hand with the Terengganu Government to develop its products.

Huge market

"We have helped Terengganu to launch new brands like T-Lekor and T-Dagang for its food industry," explains Tan Sri Lim. "We are also lending a hand in promoting local handicrafts – mengkuang and batik, for example – with the view of marketing them in overseas markets.

"For branding and packaging, we have signed agreements with organisations like Nestle, the Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers Association and the Malaysian Furniture Manufacturers Association."

The world’s furniture market is huge, he says. It is worth RM3 billion, but Malaysian furniture sales amount to only RM70 million.

"The sales volume can grow if Malaysian furniture manufacturers devote more resources to product design and branding," he notes. "Our brand-name furniture will then be known worldwide and widely accepted in the international market place."

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