Top franchisers to gather this week

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top notch franchisers will gather this week at the Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 organized by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) to prepare for the challenges posed by free trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. 

Samie Lim, PFA chairman emeritus and the recognized “Father of Philippine Franchising,” said the impending integration of ASEAN into a single market in 2015 is one of the key concerns local franchisers want to address.

During the recent media launch in Makati City of Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 slated on July 17 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila, Lim who’s also the president and CEO of Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute, BLIMS Fine Furniture and Automatic Centre, said PFA has invited speakers from Malaysia who will discuss what they have done to make their franchising industry competitive.

“Speakers from Malaysia will share what they have been doing and what support they get from their government to grow their franchising industry,” he emphasized, adding that Malaysian franchisers are bullish in their expansion in Southeast Asia.

Franklin Go, vice president of Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc. and overall chairman of Franchise Asia Philippines 2013, said the four-in-one show will feature a discussion on how free trade will affect the country and local franchisers. 

“This year’s edition of Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 will also include discussions on global franchising trends and what franchisers can do to stay competitive,” Go explained.

PFA president and WenPhil Corp. chairman Elizabeth “Yvette” Pardo-Orbeta, said the franchise show will give franchisers especially those who want to expand abroad a chance to retool themselves. 

“Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 will allow franchisers to learn where they can improve. We want our local franchising industry to become one of the front runners in the world,” Orbeta stressed. 

Another highlight of Franchise Asia Philippines 2013, said PFA vice chairman Ma. Alegria “Bing” Sibal- Limjoco is the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program which will run on July 15 to 16.

“The CFE program is a mini-MBA professional development program that is duly accredited by the US-based Institute of Certified Franchise Executives (ICFE),” noted Limjoco.

Alan Escalona, president and CEO of Fruit Magic and chairman of Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 International Conference, said Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima will keynote the conference which will kick on July 17.

Escalona added the two-day International Conference will enlighten the participants on the strengths and potentials of the Philippines as a good and attractive investment destination in the world.

Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 is Asia’s biggest four-in-one franchise show, a premier event that brings together key franchise players in the domestic and international fronts for a valuable sharing of global best practices.

Now on its 21st edition, the country’s longest running franchise show will feature a two-day International Franchise Conference, a three-day One Stop Shop International Franchise Expo, a Certified Franchise Executive Program, and educational seminars for would-be franchisors and would-be franchisees.

For inquiries, call 687-0365-67; 0917-8320732 or visit www.franchiseasiaphl2013.com.ph or email [email protected].