The Franchise Brands Retail – Ajman (FBR) kicks Off Next April

The Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced in a press conference today the launching date for the 3rd Edition of the Franchise Brands Retail – Ajman (FBR) which will be held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Crown Prince of Ajman and President of the Executive Board from the 17th until the 18th of April 2017 at the Emirates Hospitality Centre in Ajman, and will be organized by Ajman Chamber and INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions Organisations Est. 

The press conference which was held at the InterContinental Hotel -Dubai Festival City this morning, was presided by Mr. Mohammed Al Janahi, Executive Director Business and Investment, Development Sector, Ajman Chamber, Mr. Jassim Al-Bastaki, CEO of Franchise Souq and Eng. Aiman Al Madani, CEO – Finance & Administration at INDEX Holding. Throughout the press conference, the panelists reiterated on the objectives of the Ajman Chamber to strengthen its role in supporting and sustaining the franchise sector.

Mr. Mohammed Al Janahi commenced the press conference by saying: “We aim through this press conference to announce the new identity and name for the Franchise Brands Retail – Ajman in cooperation with INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions. The Ajman Chamber Board of Directors are always keen on organizing this event for the past three years and we have been monitoring the volume of development in the franchise and brands sectors, which has become one of the most growing sectors in the GCC and the Middle East.”

Mr. Mohammed Al Janahi continued: “We have decided to improve the nature of the FBR Exhibition, therefore, we have partnered with INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions to launch the FBR this year in an innovative and unique way. We have added more sectors to the exhibition so it would include: Franchise, Retail and Brands sectors and we pursue through this exhibition to promote local brands, encourage entrepreneurs, and also support companies operating in the franchise sector in the emirate of Ajman.”

“We are working diligently to attract all the companies working in this vital sector and provide them with the all the support they need. The tremendous development that happened in this field for the past three years was motivating for us in order to enhance the Ajman Chamber’s partnerships with leading international franchise companies.” Continued Mr. Al Janahi

He also added: “Growth rates for this sector are high especially in the GCC, therefore we are trying to support entrepreneurs and their new products. Franchise industry has been recorded as one of the fastest growing sectors and is a popular destination for many entrepreneurs who are interested to initiate their own projects. Besides, it is the foundation stone for the expansion of existing projects, entrepreneurs in addition to opening new branches inside or outside the country.”

 Mr. Janahi also reported that the number of membership requests in Ajman Chamber for 2016 reached more than 35 thousands from individuals, companies, agents and others. Thus, there was 35 thousand business license registered during the same period. Whereas the export value recorded at Ajman Chamber for 2016 exceeded AED 2 Billion.

The Franchise Brands Retail – Ajman exhibition (FBR) aims to distribute and promote the culture of business franchise among business communities and young local entrepreneurs in particular, as well as contributing to the development of Ajman’s economy and supporting young people so they can have investment opportunities with minimum risk. Furthermore, FBR exhibition help local entrepreneurs to achieve proper marketing for their products by selling their franchise.

On a similar note, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority released in their reports that the Domestic Gross Production for the wholesale retail trade in Ajman exceeded AED 2.3 Billion in 2015, while the share of Restaurants and Hotels sector recorded AED 398 Million, the Real Estate and Business Services exceeded AED 2.1 Billion and the Financial Corporations sector was recorded at AED 854 million.

Moreover, the production value for the wholesale retail trade in Ajman reached AED 2.955 Million in 2015, while for the Restaurants and Hotels sector was recorded at AED 666 Million, the Real Estate and Business Services was recorded at AED 2.377 Million and the Financial Corporations sector was recorded at AED 920 Million.

Mr. Jasim Al Bastaki, CEO of Franchise Souq said: “We are honored that Franchise Souq is the official partner for FBR Ajman 2017 and we are also delighted that we have partnered with INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions, the organizing partner for the show represented by The Global Franchise Market Show - TGFM.”

Mr. Jasim Al Bastaki also said: “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude for H.H. Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Crown Prince of Ajman and President of the Executive Board for patronizing the FBR – Ajman and also for his support for this industry. Ajman market is one of the most promising markets which is beholding a significant development and recovery in its infrastructure in addition to releasing new touristic projects. All of that reflects the very promising opportunities that Ajman retains and to show that Ajman is on the verge of a promising period”.

“The third edition of the FBR Exhibition – Ajman is different than any previous editions as it includes three new sectors: industry brands, retail and franchise sectors. Therefore, the FBR exhibition – Ajman is a very unique opportunity for all businessmen and experts from these fields to participate and showcase their brands, including: franchisees, traders, investors in addition to brands and trade mark owners. For this reason, we would like to invite them all to come and participate in this exhibition as we are expecting more than 80 specialized companies from the GCC and the world to participate covering more than 4000 sqm at the Emirates Hospitality Centre in Ajman.” Continued Mr. Al Bastaki

Eng. Aiman Al Madani, CEO – Finance & Administration at INDEX Holding said during the press conference: “INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions is a pioneer local company specialized in organizing high end local and international conferences and exhibitions which also includes events related to brands, franchising and retail sectors. In addition, we have a very fruitful and successful partnership with Ajman Chamber and commerce in the past, and we are looking forward to spread awareness and knowledge about this industry through FBR – Ajman among young entrepreneurs in Ajman, help them find the best investment opportunities and introduce them to the best marketing and registration methods in the UAE and abroad.”  

Eng. Aiman Al Madani concluded by saying: “It is worth mentioning that the Franchise industry in the Middle East is one of the hottest markets for franchising expansion and industry development. The Federation of GCC Chambers estimated the size of the franchise business in the Middle East about $30 Billion in their latest report that was published last year. Thus, the confidence in this sector by investors and entrepreneurs is rising, which confirms the importance of this industry and gives insights about the expected success it may achieve in the coming few years.”