DUBAI, 19 February 2004 — A new UAE Franchise Association has been launched in Dubai to further strengthen the country’s franchise sector.
The launch of the association is part of our overall objective, and coincides with the inaugural Franchising Middle East Exhibition 2004 at the Dubai International Exhibition Center that ends today, said Abdul Baset Al-Janahi, CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.
The franchise sector is also considered best in terms of employment, entrepreneurship and growth. “We undertook the formation of the association to help promote the small and medium enterprises sector,” he said, adding the association would eventually be part of the World Franchise Council.
The association will be dedicated to representing franchisees, franchisers and franchise suppliers in the UAE.
“We’re planning to appoint a very strong franchise board to govern the association and have received interest from such names as McDonald’s, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf,” he said.
“The UAE association is a truly needed initiative in this fast developing franchise market,” said Marcel Portman, VP, Emerging Markets and Global Development, International Franchise Association.