Gulf Franchise Expo - Bahrain to launch with unprecedented support and ambitious goals

EFF bylaws state that events and exhibitions may only be endorsed when organized by World Franchise Council members; however as there are no franchising associations in the GCC the exhibition organizers, IIR Middle East, have scheduled a leaders roundtable at the event with the aim of sparking the creation of first franchise association in the Gulf.

'The European Franchise Federation is very eager to support this important event for the Middle East. Franchising is an institution that has proven successful around the world in supporting entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and developing national economies. Throughout that process national and regional franchise associations have played a major role in developing the industry and we are hopeful that the time is right to move franchising to the next level in the Gulf as well' said Rolf Kirst, European Franchise Federation Vice President.

Participants from the EFF sitting at the roundtable will be Rolf Kirst representing the German Franchise Association, Brian Smart, British Franchise Association Managing Director and Pascal Laurence, French Franchise Federation Legal Director.

In Bahrain the event has received the patronage of H.E. Dr. Hassan Fakhro, Minister of Foreign Trade as well as the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Joining the leaders roundtable will be Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Sheikh Daij Bin Salman Al Khalifa, and Dr. Hashim Hussain, UNIDO Regional Director.

'Franchising has already shown great development and growth in Bahrain and the GCC, however the potential is not nearly realized and further support and infrastructure are needed to keep this momentum moving forward. UNIDO has already made great strides to promote the development of franchising here in Bahrain, and the more individuals, companies, and organizations cooperate towards this singular goal, the faster we will see progress', said Dr. Hussain.

Gulf Franchise Expo - Bahrain, scheduled to take place on 3 - 4 December, 2005 at the Gulf Hotel in Manama, Bahrain, is an exhibition and seminars set designed to promote and facilitate franchising in the GCC. Delegates will include regional and international franchisors, high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, local potential master franchisees, area directors, and investors. Running alongside the exhibition will be an expert-led seminars set tailored specifically for how to best capitalize on opportunities available for franchising in Bahrain and the region.

Gulf Franchise Expo - Bahrain is organized in cooperation with the Bahrain Investors Center (BIC) - Bahrain's one-stop-shop for investment and the Licensing Executive Society.