“Every strong nation is supported by strong brands. And every strong brand is backed by a nation that believes in its people,” said Datin Winnie Loo, President of the Branding Association of Malaysia (BAM), in her speech as she set the tone for the day when Malaysia Brand Day 2026 officially opened at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on 8 January 2026.
The three-day event was positioned as a platform with the potential to grow into a national movement, aimed at elevating Malaysian brands, strengthening enterprise competitiveness, and positioning branding as a strategic pillar of nation-building.
With the support of multiple ministries and government agencies, the event brought together over 100 Malaysian brands from 16 industries, alongside policymakers, investors, buyers, industry leaders, and media, on a single unified platform.
Branding as a national capability
“Branding is not a luxury — it is a national necessity,” said Loo, a prominent Malaysian hairstylist and entrepreneur best known as the founder of the A Cut Above salon group, who has been recognised as a pioneer in transforming Malaysia’s hairdressing industry.
In her speech, she underscored that branding today went far beyond design, logos, or advertising campaigns. “Branding shapes trust, value, and how the world sees us, not just as businesses, but as a nation,” she said.
The event also coincided with BAM’s 25th anniversary. This milestone reflected the association’s long-standing belief in economic resilience, investment attraction, and export growth.
From its beginnings as a small group of passionate entrepreneurs, BAM had grown into a national association representing more than 480 members across nearly every major industry in Malaysia.
“Strong brands attract investment, build trust, drive innovation and strengthen exports,” Loo added.
Reinforcing the broader purpose behind Malaysia Brand Day, Loo underscored the platform’s ambition to shape Malaysia’s branding future for generations to come.
“As we launch this inaugural Malaysia Branding, may it grow beyond an event into a national movement. One that empowers SMEs, inspires future brand builders and unites us under one shared mission. To build a Malaysia the world recognises, respects and remembers.”
From belief to action
For Eden Yap, Organising Chairman of Malaysia Brand Day 2026, the event was about turning conviction into collective action.
“Today is the day we turn belief into action,” he said. “Malaysia Brand Day is a national-scale platform where Malaysian brands stand side by side to show what Malaysians can build — and who Malaysia can become”
Designed as an inclusive platform for SMEs, startups, public-listed companies, investors, policymakers, and consumers, Malaysia Brand Day aimed to shift businesses away from price-driven competition towards brand- and value-driven growth.
A central objective was to reconnect Malaysian consumers with homegrown brands and redirect trust and spending back to local products and services.
“We want to steer a movement for Malaysians supporting Malaysian brands, because every brand built by Malaysians strengthens Malaysia,” said Yap.
Yap encouraged stakeholders to move forward together, calling for collective action and unity across the ecosystem. “Let us show the world we don’t just make products, we build brands. Brands. Brands with the power to lead beyond borders.”
From event to movement
The Organisers were clear that Malaysia Brand Day was not intended to be a one-off showcase. Instead, it was envisioned to be a long-term national movement that continuously elevates Malaysian excellence, inspires future brand builders, and strengthens the country’s branding ecosystem.
With unity, confidence, and a shared belief in its people, Malaysia Brand Day 2026 signalled a decisive step towards building stronger brands, a stronger ecosystem, and a stronger Malaysia.
