Markets are sizzling overseas, but how do franchisors get started in the quest for global growth? The 52
ndAnnual IFA Convention will host experts from the U.S. Commercial Service Global Franchise Team on
Egypt, Colombia, Chile, China, and more.
Following the highly acclaimed Trade Missions to India, Vietnam and Indonesia in 2011, IFA is developing new routes and events to help members access new markets and opportunities. Get to know the U.S. Commercial Service Franchise Team at the Convention. Private, one-on-one meetings on strategy and markets are available.
Click here to register now.
Highlights:
EGYPT: The franchise industry is valued at over $14 billion in the Middle East/North African Region and is growing at an annual rate of 27%. Currently, American companies are dominating the franchise industry in all sectors. Commercial Specialist Cherine Maher is currently serving at the U.S. Commercial Service office in Cairo, Egypt. She specializes in improving U.S./Egyptian commercial interests, promoting trade, counseling U.S. and Egyptian businesses in identifying qualified prospects for U.S. business interests and is a regional mentor for our Franchise specialists n the Middle East. Ms. Maher is most noted in the Franchise Industry for her outstanding facilitation of the Annual Middle East & North Africa International Franchise Exhibition, where she introduces qualified investors to U.S. Franchisors from Egypt as well as 14 surrounding countries, known for producing executed Master Franchise Agreements. This year’s Conference will take place on May 10 – 13, 2012, followed by a multi country Trade Mission including Egypt, North Africa and Gulf States later in the year. Ms. Maher will be pleased to advise you on export expansion prospects for your franchise.
COLOMBIA:
During 2010, the franchising system in Colombia had growth of 10.33% compared to 2009, increasing from 382 networks to 425. Colombia has negotiated a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, which was approved by the U.S. Congress on October 12, 2011. The approval between the U.S. and Colombia is expected to have a significant impact on this sector. With the passage, the agreement protects franchisor rights by expanding the definition of trademarks, creating an electronic trademark application system and easier filing requirements. Also, the Colombian government would be prohibited from requiring U.S. companies to incorporate in Colombia in order to provide services. Franchised small businesses, with limited resources that prohibit physically locating in Colombia, will benefit from not having to establish a formal presence. This will allow smaller franchisors the immediate access larger systems enjoy overseas. Nicole DeSilvis, Commercial Attaché’ with the Embassy in Bogota, Colombia will be available to meet and discuss the impressive opportunities and prospects for your franchise in this particular market. Ms. DeSilvis has vast experience working with companies within the franchise market throughout the world.
CHILE: The first U.S. franchises to arrive in Chile, in the late 80s, were McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Since then, the franchise market has actively expanded. There are approximately 124 franchises operating in the Chilean market and the United States has the highest market share with 36%. Chile’s GDP growth for 2011 was 6.2% and the inflation rate 3.9%. Chile remains one of the most stable and prosperous emerging market economy and consistently ranks high on international indices relating to economic freedom, transparency, and competitiveness. It also fares very well in terms of democratic development, gross GDP per capita, freedom of the press, and was the highest ranked country in terms of competitiveness in Latin America, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2009-2010. As a result of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement – in place since 2004 – 99% of U.S. imported products meeting the requirement enter Chile duty free. Chile has very few barriers to trade and/or investments and foreign firms enjoy the same rights and operate under the same conditions as local firms Currently, a typical maximum investment for a local franchisee is in the US$ 250,000 range. Franchises with market potential in Chile include: full-service restaurants, well-known apparel brands, children services, hotel/motel, services for elderly people, repair services, and cleaning services (home and industrial). Commercial Specialist Veronica Pinto, has been with the Commercial Service in Santiago for over 20 years and has extensive knowledge in the Franchise sector.
CHINA: The Chinese franchise market is the largest in the world terms of the total number of franchised outlets – there are over 2,600 brands with some 200,000 franchised retail stores in over 80 sectors. Franchising has also experienced significant growth of about 35% – 40% annually in the last few years due to rising disposable incomes and an increasing number of Chinese entrepreneurs willing to adopt franchising models. Andrew Gately is a Commercial Officer having served for three years at the US Consulate in Guangzhou, China. Before joining the Commercial Service, Mr. Gately was an analyst at the U.S. International Trade Commission, focusing on trade distribution and franchising services. He has lived and worked in China for eight of the past sixteen years. The Commercial Service plans to organize a franchising trade mission to China in the fall.
If you are interested in private one-on-one appointments please fill out the form below, or use the attachment and forward either of them back to Kristin Houston –
kristin.houston@trade.gov
. All meetings will be 30 – 45 minutes long and held on the Convention site. Your confirmation of appointments along with time, date and room location will be e-mailed to you on Tuesday, February 7. Please feel free to include any specific questions you may have in your registration form and/or your Gold Key Questionnaire if you have that.
For more information contact:
Kristin Houston, Commercial Service Global Franchise Team Leader
Ph: 949-660
-7103
*
kristin.houston@trade.gov