Enhancing product visibility internationally
THE Research and Development (R&D) Committee of Curtin University Malaysia’s Faculty of Business recently collaborated with 17 local small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) and its strategic partners in the UK to hold a “Sarawak in London” product showcase and digital platform launch aimed at promoting and increasing the visibility of local products in the international market.
The hybrid launch held simultaneously in Miri and London saw the Curtin researchers led by R&D associate dean and R&D Committee chair Dr Tiong Ying Ying and the local entrepreneurs and exhibitors joining the strategic partners and potential clients in London for a threehour online dialogue, launching ceremony and virtual tour of the showcase.
Officiating at the event was Sarawak Transport Minister and Curtin Malaysia’s Management Committee chair Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin. He was joined by Miri mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang and Curtin Malaysia pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive Prof Simon Leunig, who attended online.
Also in attendance were deputy pro vice-chancellor Prof Vincent Lee, chief operating officer Ir Pieter Pottas and Faculty of Business dean Prof Andreas Zins.
Lee noted that four of the exhibitors at the showcase sent their products to London to be showcased – Tea Three by Green Leafs (three-layer tea beverages), Kun Products (processed foods), Starz Team Arts and Crafts (handmade soap) and Look at Me (pearl jewellery).
He lauded the Faculty of Business for coming up with the idea, which is in line with the Sarawak government’s initiative to nurture digitalisation and advance SMEs and emerging businesses in Sarawak.
Yii, meanwhile, said the digital platform would help create endless opportunities for local entrepreneurs to market their products abroad.
Other enterprises participating in the showcase were Miri Artisan Market, Pakat, Sarawak Fruit Enterprise, Rania, Pie House, Sarawak Batik Linut Textiles, Olizania Borneo, Penan Womens’ Projects, ACHIM, Ineuako Enterprise, Artsy Tailor Craft, WAT Academy and Route 66.
Over in London, six strategic partners worked with the R&D committee to put the event together. Members of the Social Innovation Movement Association were present to offer advice on impact management while professors from Brunel University London conducted a collaborative transformation session after the event.
Also present to co-create business value through internationalisation were representatives from Makan Bites, an active digital platform in the UK, and Borneo Street UK, a potential event collaborator in London.
That evening, Halia UK, another partner based in London, hosted a dinner for potential investors in the Sarawak products, as well as Sarawakians residing in London.
Strategic partners in Miri that also supported the event were the Miri TEGAS Digital Innovation Hub and Horizn Digital Sdn Bhd.
Miri TEGAS connected Curtin Malaysia with stakeholders via their start-up ecosystem and collaborated with local food innovators to cater a high tea during the event in Miri.
Horizn Digital, meanwhile played a pivotal role in promoting the event.
Dr Tiong said the concept for “Sarawak in London” came from the Faculty of Business’ knowledge transfer programme to support local industry and nurture new and emerging enterprises.