Pernas helps the internationalization of Malaysian franchise entrepreneurs
KEPALA BATAS: Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (Pernas), through its internationalization initiative, helps franchise entrepreneurs increase their businesses, thereby growing domestically and nationally.
Its chairman, Datuk Hazimah Zainuddin, said that among the initiatives implemented was a trade mission abroad, which aimed to promote business development and connect Pernas’ strategic partners, who also attended the program, to the international market.
He said Pernas, as a company owned by the Minister of Finance (incorporated), was given the mandate to lead the development of the franchise industry in Malaysia, and this year’s target was to expand the existing franchises in the country to an international level.
“Like recently, Pernas went to Dubai in conjunction with Gulfood 2024 and Gulf Franchise Expo 2024, and Pernas was awarded ‘Best Government Agency in Franchise’ and we brought 10 well-known companies and brands in Malaysia there, including Mina, BubblesO2, Cheese U, Hot Pasta, Richiamo, Makeria, and Lemongrass.
“Pernas wants to expand the brand abroad, and at the same time, we bring franchises from abroad for our entrepreneurs to engage in, as well as run businesses in Malaysia,” he said after the Inauguration Ceremony of the Penang BizFrancais Program 2024, officiated by the Chairman of the Trade, Entrepreneur, and Rural Development Committee, Rashidi Zinol.
Hazimah said Pernas also equips entrepreneurs with capacity-building skills through the knowledge and skills needed to operate on an international trade platform.
He said among the programs held was the Soft Landings Program (SLP) at Swansea University, United Kingdom, from January 11 to 24, a program designed to help Malaysian franchise entrepreneurs prepare to spread their wings to the international market, particularly to the United Kingdom and then to the rest of Europe and America.
In addition, he said Pernas also explored opportunities, potential business agreements, and business partners to bring potential international brands into Malaysia, and the initiative was carried out through business missions to the United Kingdom, Istanbul, and Doha, Qatar.
In this regard, Hazimah said Pernas has identified three international brands that have the potential to be brought into Malaysia in order to create more business opportunities in the field of franchising, such as D Sara Fried Chicken, which is currently receiving a good response.
He informed the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives through Pernas, targeting a potential funding of RM5.7 million in an effort to strengthen the franchise industry in the four northern states, namely Perlis, Kedah, Perak, and Penang, this year.
“Pernas always implements continuous initiatives empowering franchise entrepreneurship to increase the public’s involvement in the field of entrepreneurship and business, as well as empowering the capacity and capability of local entrepreneurs.
“We are targeting 165 applications with potential funding of RM50 million for the entire BizFrancais tour series this year, including in three states, namely Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak, and last year, RM25.24 million was successfully channeled to entrepreneurs through the program,” he said.
The Penang BizFrancais Program is the second location for the program’s tour series this year after Sarawak, and the BizFrancais Program has been introduced since 2019 with 20 series organized across the country.
– Agency
