MIRI: Malaysia will launch its National Franchise Blueprint on Dec 6 to ensure the rapid growth of the industry and acts as a benchmark for the franchise industry.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, (MDTCC) Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will launch the blueprint at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
This was disclosed by deputy minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim after officiating at the state ‘Buy the Malaysian Products Expo and Franchise Business Opportunities 2011’ here yesterday.
“The blueprint is to chart the development of the local franchise industry until 2020.
“Among other things it included issues such as franchise dispute mechanism, tailored for Malaysian market, so as to contribute to an environment conducive to business. Consequently, it will lead to the amendment of the present Franchise Act,” she said.
Among those present were the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin, tate director of MDTCC Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman and Miri enforcement chief of MDTCC, Zakaria Awang, Deputy Resident of Miri Division Imang Oyo Imang and the executive chairman of Miri Housing Corporation Datuk Lau Siu Wai.
Rohani added the blueprint was among the efforts taken by the government to spur the development of the franchise industry that has vast potentials both locally and internationally.
Other efforts included providing soft loan for micro-franchise that is below RM50,000 for local franchise such as Kopitiam, and Briyani, inline with the efforts of setting up the franchise community starting next year.
“There is still misconception that franchise business is only for big business. Unlike foreign franchise, the locals can apply for soft loan of RM50,000 and below,” she stressed.
Earlier in her speech, Rohani said Malaysia had many successful franchisers including in international market.
Among the successful franchisers were Mary Brown, Bonia, and Kopitiam, she said, adding that in one of the small provinces in China alone there are fifty Mary Brown outlets.
More franchisers are encouraged to open outlets in Sarawak. Among them are Giant, Tesco and Mydin.