UAE SMEs explore franchise opportunities in Europe

Reflecting this trend, seven member companies of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders accompanied by the Establishment's officials will participate in the Franchise Expo Paris.

To be held from 14-17 March at the Paris Expo, the event will witness the participation of more than 450 companies and include the showcasing of hundreds of franchising concepts from international brands in more than 75 sectors.

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment For Young Business Leaders, said:

"The Establishment is keen to notch up its support for the SMEs in addition to offering enabling services and developing innovative ideas to help open up new growth avenues for our members, not only locally but on the international level as well."

"Franchising fairs are important platforms for start up businesses to discover new opportunities, compare offers, and gauge latest business trends. Fledgling businesses can secure good deals through these fairs to accelerate their growth."

Headed by Nisrin Safar, Marketing Manager, Mohammed bin Rashid Est. for Young Business Leaders, the delegation will hold a series of meetings with leading international corporate entities seeking to expand their businesses in the UAE and across the region.

Nisrin Safar said: "The Establishment follows a clear marketing strategy to promote businesses of its members both locally and internationally. Franchise operations are valuable tools for securing sustainable growth for start-up companies. Helping our members evolve from young aspiring companies into large enterprises is one of the Establishment's key objectives."

Franchising is globally recognized as a core factor abetting economic growth. The franchisee owns his or her own business and is legally independent, but benefits from the know-how, the brand image and the reputation of a franchise. Furthermore, the franchisee benefits from the franchise system of sales management, its advertising and marketing campaigns.

According to the French franchise federation (la Fédération Française de la Franchise - FFF), France ranks first in Europe with a turnover of about AED232 billion (€41bn) in franchise. French franchising represents 40% of European franchising but it has also been able to develop its own franchise network (foreign franchisors account for about 10% of the French market), while about one third of the French franchises have at least one outlet abroad.

Last year, the Establishment had organized a similar participation for a number of its members at the Canton franchise fair in China, which drew over 14,000 exhibitors.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders offers a wide range of enabling services to its members, including facilitating business agreements with leading government and private sector companies. Its services also extend to offering business consultancy, training programmes and logistical support.