French, Thailand and Malaysia pavilions among international franchisors companies to participate in FME 2006

FMR 2006 held under the patronage of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders which is headed by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Makthoum and supported by IFA (International Franchise Association), is the largest Franchise Trade exhibition in the region. FME 2006 offers entrepreneurs and small business owners an opportunity to buy new franchise ventures for the local market and the region.

FME offer the perfect platform for international and regional companies to showcase their products and services and gain a market base in the region which is growing at an astonishing pace.

The retail and infrastructure boom in the Middle East and Dubai in particular is no surprise to the international business community, with the likes of Prince Waleed of Kingdom Holding in Saudi Arabia and Dubai Holding from the UAE making waves across political corridors and board rooms in every developed country of the world it is only natural that every business is looking at the region with renewed interest.

The exhibition offers the franchise brand owner an easy access to entire MENA markets and contributes towards developing and enhancing business and economic growth in the region, especially in Dubai .

Monammed Falaknaz - Vice President - Falak Holding the parent body for International Expo Consults LLC who are the organizes of FME 2006, was candid in saying that 'Shows such as Franchising Middle East 2006, are not just exhibitions or B2B shows they are economy drivers that propel a country's economy into overdrive towards creating business opportunities for the nationals of UAE.'

'The participation of national pavilions from developed reflects the commitment of their Trade development associations who encourage their companies and enhance bilateral trade between countries. The signing of franchise agreements between companies has a direct relation to the economy of both the countries represented by the franchisor and the franchisee,' Falaknaz added.

Now only in its third year FME has established itself as a premium B2B event in the franchising and retail industry. Since its inception in 2004 the event has been responsible for bringing into the region some of the most reputed brands from Europe and has also helped home grown UAE brands to find overseas markets in the GCC and MENA region.

Speaking on the forthcoming tradeshow Mr. Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders said, 'Franchising in the Middle East is on the threshold of remarkable growth. There is a tremendous response from investors in the region as franchising is an important source of new business opportunities. This exhibition has set the ground for us to fulfill our aim to make the UAE and Dubai the franchise hub of the Middle East.'

The exhibition will also have Seminar sessions from Franchise experts including a keynote address from Vice president of International Franchise Association.

Franchising Middle East 2006 will be open from the 7th to the 9th of March, between 10 to 1 and 4.30 to 8.30 pm daily. The exhibition is open to trade visitors and professionals in the industry.