Franchise Mission To China Yields US$26.18 Million In Potential Investments

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) -- The recent Malaysian Franchise Promotion Mission to China has yielded an encouraging US$26.18 million (RM80.724 million) in potential investments. The Malaysian Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism in a statement today said the result was achieved through early trade discussions, with 157 potential franchisees. The mission, headed by the ministry's secretary general Datuk Saripuddin Kasim, was in conjunction with the 14th China Franchise Convention & Exhibition (CFCE) 2012 from May 11-13. Saripudin said the participation of the Malaysian delegation at the CFCE 2012, was seen as a significant step towards product penetration and local franchise services overseas. "The Chinese market has been identified as a strategic location for local franchise products to expand its wings to the global stage," he added. He said the Malaysian franchise brands received good response from visitors to the expo, comprising entrepreneurs and investors from China. Throughout the duration of the expo, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) had staged business matching programmes between Malaysian franchise companies and 30 potential investors from China. Meanwhile, the first Station 1 Leisure Cafe outlet in Beijing will be opened, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Malaysian franchise company and a Chinese entity. To date, 19 local franchise companies have successfully opened 79 outlets in China. -- BERNAMA