Raja Aznil (second left) exchanging the MoA documents with Ong (second right) to increase the nation’s competitiveness in design, international trade and to provide a series of branding trainings for SMEs across Malaysia. Witnessing the signing ceremony were Kuah (right) and Limkokwing vice-president for content Datin Nikki Lugun (left).
KUCHING: Limkokwing Branding and Packaging Design Center signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the SME Association of Malaysia to produce a collaborative platform in increasing the nation’s competitiveness in design, international trade and to provide a series of branding trainings for SMEs across Malaysia.
A press statement from Limkokwing University said the MoA signing was officiated by SME Association of Malaysia deputy president Ong Chee Tat along with a ten member delegation that consisted of vice-president Terrence Kuah, secretary general Tan Sin Su and council members.
Limkokwing University was represented by its Industry Empowerment senior vice-president Datuk Raja Aznil Raja Hisham.
The statement further said that the MoA will kick start the collaboration between the two parties to transform progress and competitiveness of SMEs domestically and globally.
Globally, SMEs are an integral part of a nation’s economic development, especially in contributing toward innovation through generated employment and value-added initiatives.
According to the university, 98.5 per cent of business establishments in Malaysia are SMEs across all sizes and sectors.
There are 907,065 establishments of SMEs in Malaysia which contribute to 36.6 per cent of Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), thus the need to train them to be more competitive at a time when the pace of globalisation is accelerating.
The service, manufacturing, construction, mining and agricultural sectors have heavily benefited the country’s GDP as the prominent economic SME activities in Malaysia.
SMEs also play a factor in the efforts of a country to achieve environmental sustainability and more inclusive growth.
In 2010, Limkokwing University launched the Limkokwing Branding and Packaging Design Center in Cyberjaya to raise awareness of branding and packaging among small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Additionally, the establishment of the centre was aimed to provide education for local SMEs about the need to infuse creativity and innovation into their operations to enhance the quality of their goods and services, as well to develop new brands and improve packaging.