5th Franchise UAE Expo opens with over 80 exhibitors from 18 countries participating

The 5th Franchise UAE Expo, the region’s leading franchise show, was opened on Wednesday by Sheikh Huraiz bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, accompanied by Saoud bin Souhail Al Maktoum, at Al Bustan Rotana, Dubai, organised by Franchise Middle East and supported by Dubai Chamber, attended by representatives from several government bodies.

Over 80 exhibitors from 18 countries are taking part in the two-day event which serves as a meeting ground for franchisors and potential franchisees from the MENA region and the globe.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mana Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Franchise Middle East Consultancy, said: “The 5th Franchise Expo is very pleased with the increased participation and support of some major international franchise organisations.

“The 5th Franchise Expo comes at a time when the SME sector as a whole and franchising in particular are growing in importance. An estimated 230,000 businesses in the UAE are in the SME sector and contribute 60 per cent to the national GDP. The proposed Franchise Law will help streamline the sector and infuse greater confidence in franchisors and franchisees,” Al Suwaidi added.

Brands from the following countries are represented in the exhibition: UK, USA, Canada, Spain, Vietnam, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Iceland, Germany and Italy.

A Conference and Workshop was organised on the sidelines of the Expo, moderated by Malcolm Taylor, the popular host of the ‘Business Breakfast’ radio show on Dubai Eye.

Participating in the inaugural conference session on ‘Franchising Governance in the UAE’ Prof. Soy Seaman, head of FDS of UK, a highly regarded franchise consultancy organization, hailed the moves of the UAE to develop a franchising law.

“Today, Franchising is practised in 200 countries with 10,000 brands, and 43 of these countries have differing franchising laws.  The UAE has a wonderful opportunity to develop its own laws, based on the best from successful legislations of other countries,” Prof. Soy Seaman added.

Kym DeBritt, General Manager of Franchise Council of Australia, cautioned against over-regulation. He described the UAE as a vibrant market, offering huge potential for the development of franchising. He said there should be just enough legislation to protect the interests of franchisors as well as franchisees.

Marcus Wallman, Partner, Commercial Advisory, Al Tamimi & Company, said the UAE had come a long way in introducing legislations to promote commercial activity, including the Consumer Protection Law and Competition Law. He explained the challenges posed by the existence of different rules in GCC countries, and urged franchisors to study each market before making business decisions.
 

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