KUALA LUMPUR, 19 October 2019 – ASEAN Retail-Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF) announced 5 major international collaborative deals with China, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia for industry expansion opportunities at the ASEAN Top Entrepreneur Luncheon & Forum 2019. The event was graced by Dr. Anis Mahmud @ Abdul Samad, Deputy Secretary General of Policy and Entrepreneur Strategy of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED).
The ASEAN Top Entrepreneur Luncheon & Forum witnessed over 200 delegates of the retail & franchise fraternity and recent award recipients of the ASEAN Outstanding Business Awards (AOBA) 2019. The international forum provided an avenue for the attendees to share their industry knowledge along with discussions of the current industry insights and future state of the retail & franchise industry.
Over the years, ASEAN Retail Chains Franchise Federation (ARFF) has further expanded their efforts to provide an opportunity for businesses to garner greater exposure and expand their networks within the Asian business community and the global stage. The business matchmaking and forum activities were specially organized for these entrepreneurs within this exclusive circle of industry fraternities with the hopes of creating potential partnerships and further contribute to ASEAN’s economic growth and prosperity in their respective industries, strengthening the retail and franchise industry.
Dr. Anis Mahmud @ Abdul Samad, Deputy Secretary General of Policy and Entrepreneur Strategy of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED) was the Guest of Honor for the ASEAN Top Entrepreneur Luncheon & Forum, who delivered the key notes, which emphasized on the establishment of strategic partnerships and cooperation with the private sector at international level to have an improved understanding and enhanced policy development for entrepreneurs.
Dato’ Mike Loh, Organizing Chairman of the 8th ASEAN Outstanding Business Award, said, “We have worked closely with our counterparts in the ASEAN region and beyond to establish an avenue for industry expansion opportunities in the respective countries. This will enable entrepreneurs to penetrate the market precisely with the support and guidance from the local team. Therefore, today, I wish to acknowledge and congratulate the 5 major international collaborations, namely from Australia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia that is poised to bring our industry to the next level.”
Summary of Deals: 3 collaborations with WALI, VAN and ABA, and the announcement of ARFF National Chapter Bureaus for China and Australia, as highlighted below:
- Association of Indonesian Franchise and License (WALI)
- Vietnam Angel Network (VAN)
- ASEAN Business Association, Cambodia (ABA)
- ARFF China Chapter Bureau
- ARFF Australia Chapter Bureau
Dato’ Dr Prof Jayles Yeoh, President of ARFF, who was also the moderator said, “The ASEAN retail & franchise industry is still young, and I believe there is much to be discovered, innovated and developed. We hope by providing an avenue for discussion and dialog to take place, we can assist in accelerating this process. We want to see our entrepreneurs flourish and achieve their full potential without obstacles while strengthening the ASEAN economy.”
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About Asean Retail Chains Franchise Federation (ARFF)
ASEAN Retail Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF) was established in 2008 to champion the promotion and development of trade particularly in the retail chains, franchise and tourism and shopping industries within the 10 ASEAN countries including 6 countries (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand). The vision of ARFF is “Making ASEAN the world class tourism & shopping paradise.” ARFF aims to simulate the European Union (EU) and to make ASEAN a hotspot for business opportunities by harnessing the collective strength of all countries in ASEAN
