Business-matching plan

Source From (Business times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/franchise02/Article/index_html

Published: on 03 July 2012

FRANCHISE COLLABORATION: MFA initiative to help local firms expand overseas


MALAYSIAN Franchise Association (MFA) plans to match local and foreign entrepreneurs for possible collaboration at the upcoming Franchise International Malaysia (FIM 2012) exhibition.

Chairman Abdul Malik Abdullah said MFA will introduce a business matching programme during the three-day exhibition from July 6 to July 8.

"We hope small and medium entrepreneurs will take the opportunity to expand their business overseas by collaborating with foreign companies," he told repor-ters yesterday.

Abdul Malik hopes more deals would be sealed during FIM 2012 with the business matching programme.

FIM 2012 is expected to attract 12,000 visitors, including international participants who are expected to make up 25-30 per cent.

To date, the US, Singapore, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Greece have confirmed their participation.

He said 66 per cent of 120 booths at the exhibition have been taken up by local companies, while international exhibitors accounted for the remainder.

FIM 2012 is expected to generate RM370 million in business transactions this time.

In conjunction with the exhibition, MFA will organise a conference on "Transforming The Economy: The Franchising Way".

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will deliver the closing keynote address entitled "Of Business & Entrepreneurs: The Silver Lining Within".

The franchise industry make up about 12 per cent of the country's retail sector.