Malaysian companies should focus on expanding brands to China

In an effort to further promote Malaysia as a brand, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) provided a platform for Malaysian companies to seek potential partners to expand local franchise brands at the 18th China (Beijing) Franchise Expo (CFE), held from July 9 to 11.

Matrade Trade Commissioner in Beijing Razida Hanim Abdul Razak said Malaysian companies should focus not only on China's first-tier cities namely Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou but also second and third-tier cities which were developing rapidly.

"Besides offering niche products and services, Malaysian companies should also offer after-sales-service. China is a good market for local companies to explore and grow if they can provide good brand, system and delivery," she told Bernama here today.

The three-day CFE would enable Malaysian companies to attract China-based investors and provide them the opportunity to discover the franchise brands for food and beverage, restaurants, food kiosk, education system, as well as wellness.

Razida Hanim said Matrade Beijing expected the seven Malaysian companies which participated in the three-day CFE to generate sales of about RM2 million.

Among the Malaysian franchise brands which participated in the CFE and actively sought business partners to expand their presence in China included Coffeeland, Teh Tarik Place, Nyonyasuan, Daily Fresh, Brainchecker, Craft and Meiko.

Besides the exhibition, MATRADE would also coordinated one-on-one business meetings for potential Chinese buyers with Malaysian partners.

The meetings would be organised in collaboration with FranChina LLC, a leading franchise association in China.

Razida Hanim said Malaysia's involvement in the CFE was to offer a platform for both local Chinese and Malaysian companies to forge joint ventures, set-up wholly foreign-owned enterprises and acquire master franchising.

CFE has been China's premier exhibition for franchises the past 16 years and also a launch pad for international brands to grow their franchise business in China.

It has attracted thousands of franchisors from across China and around the world to display their concepts, products and services to Chinese investors.