New Zealand plays host to Franchise meeting.

Media Release 7th June 2005

New Zealand plays host to Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation meeting.

Franchise specialists are congregating in Auckland today and tomorrow as New Zealand hosts the annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation. The meeting, which brings together the representatives of franchise associations from around the region, is taking place in New Zealand for the first time since the APFC was formed in 1999.

"Franchising is a fast-growing business trend throughout the Asia Pacific region," says Simon Lord, Chairman of the Franchise Association of New Zealand which is hosting the event.

"China reports that it has over 1900 franchise systems - 400 more than the US - and the governments of Malaysia and Singapore offer special incentives for those looking to develop or purchase franchises systems. Such countries recognise the potential of franchising for upskilling their people using local capital and international expertise."

Countries sending delegates to the meeting include the major markets of China and India. There will be two major opportunities for local franchisors to interact with, learn from and promote to the APFC delegates during the meeting. Delegates will be making field visits to selected franchise operations, and will also be presenting national reports on franchising in their own countries in a session which will be open to Franchise Association members and invited guests.

'The APFC helps member countries to share information and ideas, and to assist in the development of common best practice throughout the region," says Simon Lord.

"Hosting the meeting in Auckland offers a great opportunity for New Zealand companies to explore their export potential. This applies not just to established franchise systems but also to companies which might wish to adopt a franchise model in their overseas expansion. Although the numbers involved are not large, the delegates will represent the centres of franchise knowledge within their own countries," he says.

The APFC meeting is supported by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. 'Companies such as Fastway Couriers and CleanTastic have already demonstrated that good New Zealand franchise systems can compete globally, and last year a franchise trade mission from China demonstrated considerable interest in the potential of agriculturally-based franchises such as Ultra-Scan animal pregnancy testing,' says Simon Lord.

The APFC meeting will be followed by the National Franchise Conference being held this year in Taupo from 10-12 June. The conference, sponsored by The National Bank, is open to all those interested in franchising and franchise development and features a wide range of local and international speakers as well as practical workshops.

ENDS

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