MALAYSIAN COMPANIES MUST BE A BRAND FOR FURTHER SUCCESS, SAYS PM

By Muin Abdul Majid

ABU DHABI, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysian companies must develop into a brand
favoured by clients by maintaining a good reputation and image, says Prime
Minister Najib Razak.

"It only takes one black sheep to ruin the image of other Malaysian
companies. I hope that you'll set yourselves the highest possible standard in
terms of performance," he said at the 1Malaysia Dinner held in conjunction with
his visit to Dubai on Monday.

According to him, building a good reputation and image was all about being
trustworthy and able to deliver on commitments made.

"Your word must be your bond. I hope that is the ethos that Malaysian
companies at home and abroad will live by in order to develop a very strong
brand domestically and internationally," he said.

Najib said he was heartened when investors or developers employing
Malaysians in their projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had approached
him to acknowledge the exceptional capability of their Malaysian personnel.

"We should make an inventory of what Malaysian companies are capable of so
that we can push relevant companies for projects in the UAE or elsewhere," he
said.

However, he pointed out that for all their ability, competency and
entrepreneurial skills, one thing that could not be denied was that the success
of Malaysian firms was partly due to the political goodwill nurtured by the
Malaysian government over the years with other countries.

"Alhamdulillah, Malaysian companies enjoy an awful lot of goodwill in this
part of the world. I hope that you'll continue to showcase your capabilities
and do your part to ensure that the Malaysian brand is a strong brand in this
region," he said.

The prime minister pledged that the government would continue to play its
part in developing this goodwill and trust at the highest level.

Najib will leave for India later Tuesday.
-- BERNAMA