MALAYSIAN RETAILER EYES FRANCHISING BUSINESS IN AFRICA

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

PUTRAJAYA, June 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Retailer-Chains Association,
which promotes retail industry in the country, is eyeing for the best
franchising business in the African continent by partnering with the business
fraternity there.

Its deputy president, Nelson Kwok Teng Toong said the association has
been neglecting Africa for so long as its efforts were more focused in
Southeast Asian countries and China.

"We hope to engage African countries and their embassies here and Malaysian
embassies there for further discussions and followed by study tours," he told
Bernama at the Malaysia-Africa Business Forum (MABF) here Saturday.

Kwok said Malaysian companies had yet to make their presence felt in Africa
under franchise arrangements despite their proven track record overseas.

Currently, only two companies are operating in Africa, namely Marrybrown,
which specialises in fried chicken and fries, and Nelson's, which sells
corn-based products.

Among established Malaysia franchises are Secret Recipe, 1901 Hotdog, Smart
Reader, Bonia and England Optical, but they had yet to enter the African market.

Kwok said Africa was the largest untapped market for franchising business
given its huge population.

With Africa's collective gross domestic product (GDP) projected to expand to
US$2.6 trillion in 2020 and consumer spending set increase to US$1.4 trillion.

-- BERNAMA