BERNAMA – 18 Februari 2016
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) aims to grow local franchise outlets by between 10 and 15 per cent this year to tap overseas countries.
Its Chairman, Datuk Mohd Latip Sarrugi, said of the current 2,400 outlets of different brands, about 300 were expected to expand their businesses especially into ASEAN market.
“There is a RM2 million allocation under the Enhanced Franchise Development Programme (EFDP) to help local firms expand their businesses overseas.
“To-date, 61 franchisors have expanded their businesses or brands into 55 nations,” he told reporters after the EFDP workshop here today.
EFDP is a programme to nurture and encourage more franchise exports to foreign countries via activities organised by the MFA.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Susila Devi, said the EFDP aimed to increase awareness on oportunities for Malaysian franchises to expand into international market and improve their knowledge and skills on strategies to penetrate the markets.
“There are many successful franchise brands from Malaysia, among them, Marrybrown, Secret Recipe, D’Tandoor, Smart Reader and Global Art Creative.
“We believe other local franchises will have a big potential in exploring the international market in view of the fact that there are now over 50 of them in 55 countries,” she said, adding that they had stamped the country’s name on the global stage.
On the impact of the current economic situation and the weak ringgit on the franchise industry, she said, it was still resilient as demand from ASEAN countries would continue to drive its growth.
“We have requests from Myanmar, India and Chile for the franchise industry, especially from the healthcare, education, spa and construction sectors, to set up businesses and we hope the local franchisors will grab these opportunities,” she said.
URL : http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v8/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=1216369
