Franchising Middle East looks global

The show, which will host its sixth edition in 2009, is hoping to secure more international pavilions, organisers International Expo Consults (IEC) has revealed.

Previous editions of the show have seen international country pavilions from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, France, India and Italy, while individual international exhibitors have participated from a range of countries including the UK, US, Spain, Australia, Belgium and Turkey.

For 2009, IEC hopes to secure more country pavilions, and already expects greater participation from the US and Europe, especially Spain, France and Italy, which all have a flourishing franchise sector.

'Over 70 brands from 25 countries attended the 2008 FME exhibition, all with one aim in mind: to take their brands global. Therefore it makes perfect sense for the show to develop into a truly international franchising platform through the addition of more overseas pavilions,'

said Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, President of International Expo Consults (IEC).

FME is the region's only exhibition that offers a world of exciting opportunities to international franchisers to access the thriving Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market and launch their franchise concepts.

The exhibition facilitates direct communication between entrepreneurs and potential franchise buyers from the region and beyond.

The show has earned the enviable reputation of being the ideal networking opportunity for the franchising industry in the Middle East, which industry analysts have estimated is worth $30bn.

'With the franchise industry already growing at 25% per annum, the UAE and the rest of the GCC region is a fertile market for franchise companies to expand into. With approximately 85% of the UAE population comprising of the expatriates, this is the market that needs to be catered for. The new international element to our show will do just that,' Mr Falaknaz confirmed.

FME is the largest international franchise exhibition in the Middle East and is supported by the IFA (International Franchise Association).

FME2009 will take place from March 3-5 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, in Hall 4.