The 2nd edition of Franchise UAE 2011, the international franchise, retail and business opportunity, a two day event held in Dubai on October 1 and 2, 2011 has concluded successfully.
The 2nd edition of Franchise UAE 2011, the international franchise, retail and business opportunity, a two day event held in Dubai on October 1 and 2, 2011 has concluded successfully. More than 1,200 visitors attended the show, 30 per cent of them from GCC countries, including 150 women entrepreneurs. The event generated more than 50 franchise business deals including the total value of immediate deals worth over USD 5m that are expected to rise substantially when the negotiations commenced at the trade show are finalised.
Gaurav Marya, Managing Director, Franchise Middle East, organisers of the event commented, “The success of the event has prompted us to hold similar shows in GCC countries, particularly Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, while the main global event will continue to be held in Dubai every year. We believe we have triggered a movement where relatively small home-grown brands are exploring franchising opportunities across the region and Indian Subcontinent. This was reflected in the diverse sectors represented at Franchise UAE."
The event witnessed strong interest in the education sector, with UAE brands like Blossom Nursery and British Orchard attracting huge interest. Also, UAE brands like Crystal Arc, Desert Chill Ice-cream and Medicine Shoppe attracted significant attention. Among outside exhibitors, Indian fitness chain Talwalkar's and logistics company DTDC received serious inquiries from entrepreneurs in the GCC region, as well as Pizza Pizza from Turkey and BG Cleaning Services from Iceland.
Marya further says, "Franchising has undergone a dramatic transformation in the Gulf over the past few years, with the focus shifting from big conglomerates to dynamic entrepreneurs and SMEs. The event highlighted the fact that in tough economic conditions, the franchising model works best, because of relatively lower costs and win-win prospects for franchisors and franchisee. This was proved in the United States during the Great Recession, when a number of entrepreneurs and SMEs moved to the front-line to launch new ventures. The response to Franchise UAE has demonstrated that GCC investors and entrepreneurs are ready to invest smartly in the franchising sector."
