Curtains down on Int’l Franchise Conference and Exhibition

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

The fourth edition of the International Conference & Exhibition (IFCE), held in Abu Dhabi concluded its activities, attracting more than 2,000 visitors and participants. The event serve as a leading hub that attracts franchise companies from across the world, as well as providing investment opportunities for entrepreneurs, the youth, and companies based in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Chamber expressed its pride in organizing the conference and exhibition. The Chamber also praised the business opportunities that have come as a result of the conference, including prominent deals and contracts. These outcomes reflect the important role of the gathering in supporting the investors and business community in the UAE.
Organized by Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), the conference sought to support entrepreneurs and youth, urging them to take advantage of franchise projects. The event also contributed to raising awareness of this vital sector’s role in society and the means for the developing investments and business environments. In addition, the event provided significant networking opportunities and provided a platform to enter partnerships with foreign companies, local entrepreneurs and the SME community in the UAE.
Events included a number of unique panel discussions, seminars and workshops, presented by 15 keynote speakers, including international experts in the business sector. The sessions focused on methods and strategies for successful business enterprises, during which speakers shared their knowledge and experiences, as well as international best practices for financing franchises. Participants also shared their insights about the best practices for choosing the suitable franchise for SME, with a special focus on success stories and the outlooks about the future of the franchise in the GCC counties.
Commenting on the event, HE
Mohamed Helal Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Chamber, said: “International Franchise Conference & Exhibition continues to provide an important and leading position on the international business scene. The conference plays a key role in promoting the investment environment, supporting businesses and introducing the participants to local and regional franchises. These efforts aim to enable and develop local enterprises and to enhance the economic growth in Abu Dhabi”.
Al Muhairi added: “The significant increase in participant turnout across exhibition activities effectively contributes to driving and developing the investment sector. In particular, it enables growth of SME through facilitating and promoting communication prospects with major companies and investors in the global market in order to build new partnerships”.
At the beginning of the fourth edition of the conference, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced the official launch of the UAE Franchise Association. The new body will work on the development of the franchise sector, providing training and consultation for entrepreneurs in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Chamber extended gratitude to its official sponsor for the event, Emirates Global Aluminium, along with a number of international franchise associations, for their participation in the events over the two days. Participants included the franchise associations of Europe, Portugal, Croatia and China. A number of associations attended for the first time, reflecting the strong international confidence in the UAE economy. This conference and exhibition has increasingly become a major event for worldwide franchise companies, and for entrepreneurs and
investors in the country.