Foreign brands seeking local partnerships in Phl

CEBU, Philippines - With Asia deemed as one of the emerging economies to reckon with and with the Philippines’ stellar economic performance, more foreign brands are now coming in and seeking local partnerships.

This is evident in the strong participation of foreign brands in the upcoming “Franchise Asia” conference and exposition set on July 16-20, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila, organized by the Philippine Franchise Association.

In an interview with PFA vice chairman Bing Sibal-Limjoco, she said that while the entry of foreign brands here provides opportunities for Filipinos to opt for franchise deals, Filipino brands are also enticed to go outside the country and make partnerships with foreign counterparts to start-off penetrating the global market.

According to Limjoco, the upcoming "Fanchise Asia" is an opportunity for Filipinos to start expanding in the international arena, by taking advantage of the presence of successful retail brand makers in the world.

Limjoco was in Cebu recently, to encourage Cebuano brands to participate in the upcoming event, which carries the theme "Conquering an Integrated ASEAN."

She said franchising is the best, if not the only tool for local brands to succeed in international retail trade.

"Foreign brands are coming in, Filipino brands are also going outside the country," said Limjoco.

The three-day event which will condense the primary ingredients in grabbing the opportunities in franchising, will feature different pavilions that will showcase different brands from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, United States, and the United Kingdom.

Currently, there are successful Cebuano brands that are able to compete globally, in their effort to tap franchising as their channel to get to the international market. These are among others Penshoppe Group, Island Souvenirs, along with food, beverage, and services brands, like Bo’s Coffee, Dimsum Break, Golden Cowrie, and Hukad.

Among the ASEAN member countries or in the entire Asia, the Philippines has the largest count of certified franchise executives which provides an edge to Filipino-grown brands to offer franchise deals to the world, starting with in the ASEAN region.