Ewon wants MEDC, PERNAS, and MFA to build strong synergy to develop Franchise entrepreneurs in Malaysia

15 July 2024

BANGKOK: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDC), PERNAS, and the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) need to build strong synergy to empower Franchise entrepreneurs in Malaysia.

Its Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said that this is important to help Malaysian Franchise companies explore entrepreneurial opportunities both domestically and internationally.

"I request that MFA and PERNAS collaborate closely and complement each other's efforts in developing entrepreneurs and Franchise companies in the country, including joint participation in the Malaysia Pavilion at upcoming expos.

"MEDC will provide the National Franchise Entrepreneurship Policy in addition to being the Franchise registrar. I believe that with this better synergy, we can further strengthen the development of the country's Franchise sector and expand Franchise brand products and services to international markets," he said while speaking at the Dinner with the Malaysian Diaspora in Bangkok, Thailand, recently.

Ewon said that the national Franchise development ecosystem, previously under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN), is now centralized under MEDC.

"As a result, the Franchise-related ecosystem in Malaysia, including registration, development, financing, domestic and international promotion, is coordinated by MEDC," he said.

Ewon, along with the Malaysian delegation, carried out a three-day working visit to Bangkok, Thailand, which ends today (July 13) in the International Franchise Trade Mission in conjunction with the Expo Thailand Franchise Business Opportunities 2024.

The aim is to promote local brand Franchise companies internationally, especially in Thailand, which has a large market potential with a population of 71.6 million people.

A total of seven Malaysian Franchise companies under the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA), namely D’ Tandoor, FatNinjas, Global Art, IrisPro, MuzArt, Myeongdong Topokki, and Cleanpro, and four PERNAS entrepreneurs, namely Bubbles O2, Beard Brothers, Richiamo Coffee, and Tanamera, participated in the trade mission.

Regarding the working visit, Ewon said that he held roundtable discussions with the Franchise industry in Thailand and the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, who also serves as the Minister of Trade, Phumtan Wechayachi.

"I welcome the cooperation between the Franchise & Licensing Association (FLA) of Thailand and MFA to strengthen the development of the business-to-business commercial community of both associations."

This discussion also pertains to the development of the Franchise sector in Thailand and the exchange of information and views to further enhance cooperation in the future," he said.

Ewon said that in the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, they discussed strengthening cooperation in the Franchise sector and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

"Both of us also appreciate the desire and commitment for information and expertise exchange through ministries and agencies," he said.

Also present during the event were the Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Jojie Samuel, PERNAS Chairman Dato Hazimah Zainuddin, MFA Chairman Datuk Dr. Radzali Hassan, as well as officials from KUSKOP and the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok.

During this visit, Ewon held meetings with industry representatives, Malaysian diaspora, and Malaysian representatives in Bangkok, in addition to a visit to the Thai company-owned Franchise Cafe Amazon and Laundrybar, a Malaysian Franchise company operating in Thailand.