Buy Malaysian Products campaign to be revived

PUTRAJAYA: To stimulate the country’s economic growth and face the global economic slump, the Buy Malaysian Products campaign will be revived and launched on Jan 16.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the campaign had been carried out previously, but was focused on exporting locally-made goods.

“With the current economic situation, we cannot just rely on the export sector…so, we should encourage Malaysians to buy locally-made products,” he told reporters after the ministry’s new year assembly here yesterday.

Shahrir said the move would not be a loss to any party as Malaysian products were of good quality and could generate income for the country, as well as those who manufactured and marketed the products.

He said the campaign would be carried out for a year, using various mediums including print and electronic advertisements, as well as state and district-level promotions.

Elements of awareness to buy local products would be incorporated in expos or commerce exhibitions nationwide throughout the year, such as during holidays or at furniture exhibitions, with the cooperation of other ministries, he said.

Shahrir said they also hoped that local producers could come up with new brands which were cheaper but still had quality.

“Brand owners base their brands on price and quality, with the price determining the quality.

“So, when we ask them to reduce prices, it is considered as degrading the brand.

“The ministry hopes that in 2009, more value brands will be introduced, so consumers can buy the same product at a lower price and brand owners do not need to compromise their current brand,” he said.

— Bernama