Sabah products need better marketing and branding
KOTA KINABALU: Business competition has been increasing after Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, and the government need to look at the shortcomings to help the local products.
Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe said the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) had been making a lot of efforts and initiatives throughout the years, but there is a need to improve on the marketing, branding, design and digitalisation.
“We have very good products and excellent entrepreneurs, but we need to look at more on the marketing and branding efforts to change the perception of local products.
“We have been witnessing many buy local campaigns but the outcome is very limited so local entrepreneurs cannot sustain, especially with the high cost of marketing consultation fee.
“So I am thinking my ministry could look at this matter, especially on creating good impression on our products, make them attractive with better design and more quality packaging,” he said to reporters after launching Borneo Lunar Fest 2023 at Sabah International Convention Centre on Saturday.
Phoong, who previously served as the Minister of Youth and Sports, said products from Japan and Korea often stood out because of their attractive and better design in packaging.
In Taiwan and Thailand, he said there is a special grant for logo, printing and materials for its entrepreneurs, and this is something that the government will look into.
“Competition in business is currently in a different scale, so we need to look at this to help them. DIDR has been doing a great job in providing machines, skills, digital platforms … but we need to look at this matter on how to address the shortcomings in the ecosystem.
“With our rich local identity, culture and heritage, we need to do something to showcase it to the world,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Phoong urged local event managements in the state to give entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow by providing more space for them to promote their products.
During the event, DIDR has sponsored several booths for local entrepreneurs.