FIM2018 to attract over RM370 million

KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry together with the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) are targeting a potential franchise investment of over RM370 million during the Franchise International Malaysia (FIM2018) exhibition from April 20 to 22.

The ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh said FIM2018 should be able to attract more than the RM370 million achieved by the event’s 24th edition last year as more countries had signed up to take part and more booths were allocated for franchisors to exhibit this year.

He said FIM2018, the one-stop centre for entrepreneurs and the international franchise industry to promote their products and services and expand their business network in the region, would now be rated as the largest annual franchise exhibition in Southeast Asia.

“This 25th edition (FIM2018) will witness the participation of 12 countries, namely the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore and the

This 25th edition (FIM2018) will witness the participation of 12 countries, namely the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia,Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh, ministry’s secretary-general

Philippines.

“We expect the three-day exhibition to attract more than 10,000 visitors including international visitors,” he said at a press conference in conjunction with the exhibitor’s briefing and mock cheque presentation for FIM2018 yesterday.

The event has received sponsorship from various parties including Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNB), Marrybrown, Chill Chill and Mary Jardin.

Jamil said to date, 116 booths out of 130, had been filled by local and international franchisors and master franchisees.

In addition, FIM2018 will bring investors from several countries such as Kazakhstan, Japan, Egypt, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Thailand and Vietnam through its franchise in-buying mission programme.

This is a collaborative activity with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and it is one of the new elements at FIM2018, with the main objective of assisting the local franchise brands to penetrate the international market.

Besides Matrade, Jamil said FIM2018 was also endorsed and recognised by the World Franchise Council and Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation.

Apart from franchise in-buying mission, other main activities at FIM2018 will be the franchise exhibition, international franchise conference, franchise business matching, franchise consultation session, celebrity talks and a culinary competition.

Malaysia aims to make the country a regional franchise hub for Southeast Asia by 2020. — Bernama