KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Brand Day 2026 closed on a high note today, with organisers and national leaders hailing the inaugural event as more than an exhibition, but the start of a nationwide movement to elevate Malaysian brands on the global stage.
The event, held from Jan 8 to 10, marked Malaysia’s first national AI-powered branding exhibition, bringing together government agencies, businesses, exporters and creatives on a single platform dedicated to strengthening the country’s brand identity.
The prime minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said the exhibition reflected the heartbeat of the nation’s economy.
“I look across this hall, and I don’t just see logos or products. I see the heartbeat of our nation’s economy,” she said in her speech at the closing ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
The ceremony was also attended by Malaysia Brand Day organiser Carrie Ee and organising chairman Eden Yap.
Wan Azizah said strengthening Malaysian brands was key to building a more resilient economy.
“When Malaysians choose to support Malaysian brands, we strengthen not only our businesses, but our nationhood.”
She said changing consumer expectations, particularly among younger Malaysians, meant businesses must now demonstrate purpose alongside profit.
“Consumers don’t just buy what you make; they buy why you make it,” she said, adding that social responsibility was no longer optional but a brand’s “licence to operate”.
She praised Malaysian brands for navigating rapid technological change and embracing innovation, particularly in digital and AI-driven experiences.
Wan Azizah said the event underscored how “Made in Malaysia” was evolving into a global mark of quality and resilience.
Meanwhile, Ee said the event was never intended to be “just an exhibition”, but a collective effort to build confidence in local brands.
“Malaysia Brand Day is a national movement. A movement to build pride. A movement to build confidence.
“A movement to build Malaysia through Malaysian brands.”
Ee said the strong turnout and commercial outcomes demonstrated what Malaysian companies could achieve when given the right platform and institutional support.
She said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) played a key role by bringing in 13 premium buyers from 11 countries for business matching sessions on the opening day.
“With pride and gratitude, I’m honoured to announce the official results reported by Matrade: total export sales generated from Malaysia Brand Day amounted to RM61.3 million,” she said.
The buyers represented markets including China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Myanmar, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
A total of 82 Malaysian exporters and sellers participated, with 150 business matching sessions conducted across key sectors.
“When we support local excellence, we strengthen Malaysia’s economy. And when we build brands, we build our nation,” she said.
Ee also acknowledged Media Prima Bhd as the official media partner, alongside several hallmark brands at the exhibition, including Eu Yan Sang, Applecrumby, Zus Coffee and Universiti Malaya.
Malaysia Brand Day 2026 featured curated brand showcases, leadership dialogues, industry panels, business matching sessions and capability-building programmes, all designed to support brand development and market readiness.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
