HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR FOREIGN COMPANIES TO START FRANCHISES IN M'SIA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 (Bernama) -- The recent liberalisation of 27 services
sub-sectors provides a huge opportunity for foreign companies to start their
franchise business in Malaysia, said Deputy Minister of International Trade and
Industry, Mukhriz Mahathir.

He said with leeway in equity control, it would enable them to have 100
percent ownership.

"Malaysia is still a growing market for franchising. There is much room
for expansion," he told reporters after officiating the Malaysian Franchise
Association (MFA) annual general meeting here Thursday.

Currently, Mukhriz said the franchise sector contributed about six percent
to the country's retail sector.

Earlier in his speech, Mukhriz said the franchise business in developed
countries contributed more than 50 percent to the retail sector.

He said that in the United States, franchises generated US$2.3 trillion in
business while in Australia, it was US$130 billion. The countries generated in
turn, 21 million and 10 million jobs respectively.

Mukhriz also said that the franchise industry in Malaysia needed a long-term
business masterplan or franchise blueprint to complete its development agenda in
the country.
-- BERNAMA