KPDN targets the franchise industry to grow 20-30 pct this year

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has set a target for the country's franchise industry to grow between 20 and 30 per cent this year, driven by the encouraging prospects of the sector despite the current economic challenges.

KPDN secretary-general (KSU) Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof said the target can be achieved if all stakeholders including government agencies help the franchise sector to grow by offering appropriate initiatives.

"This (growth target) can happen provided all parties play their roles to work together on good initiatives for this franchise group regardless of whether it is KPDN, the local authorities or other ministries.

"If abroad, we hope the ministries involved can help our franchise deal progress more easily," he told the media at the launch of the Oldtown White Coffee outlet at IOI City Mall here today.

Azman said KPDN will continue to provide full support to the franchise sector including simplifying processes (business), overcoming bureaucratic problems and so on in addition to working with other ministries to help the sector thrive.

"It is possible that this process involves several other agencies because if we want to establish this outlet, we may be involved with other agencies... we are involved by giving licences. Maybe we will sit down with our government agencies to discuss again what we can facilitate.

"This is how we respond to the government's call this time to help the people who are affected by the cost of living, we also ensure that the economy is not an exception," he said.

During his speech Azman said that the KPDN as the ministry responsible for the Malaysian franchise industry will continue to give full support to community involvement in the franchise sector including entrepreneurs who want to upgrade their business to the franchise system.

"In an effort to help entrepreneurs and the general public, the ministry will implement initiatives to control the increase in the price of goods and devise targeted subsidies to ease the cost of living.

"I am confident that this industry can grow more brilliantly in the future with cooperation and commitment from all parties," he said.

Azman said the franchise business promotion programmes in the country and abroad will also continue to be intensified to support franchise players and entrepreneurs to promote their business and together contribute towards strengthening the national economy," he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) vice-chairman Mohamad Shukri Salleh said that as of last December, a total of 1,154 franchise brands had been registered with the ministry.

He said MFA has always worked in tandem with the ministry and has always been a supporter of the government from the past and present, in addition to promoting the franchise industry in the form of roadshows, exhibitions in the country and abroad.

"We, together with KSU, have identified a number of countries and franchisors qualified to take abroad. We will not take them arbitrarily, we will only take strong franchisors abroad.

"If we succeed abroad, we can bring a lot of royalties back to Malaysia," he said.

-- BERNAMA