Business & Money | Thursday 19 May, 2016 12:09 pm |

The first RAK International Franchise & Conference Expo (RAKIFCE) has succeeded in attracting a broad range of international and regional brands to Ras Al Khaimah. With over 50 actively expanding brands and new business concepts on display, the new trade fair aims to open up franchise opportunities in the northern emirate - currently undergoing rapid growth in both its business and tourism sectors. RAKIFCE is organized by Apex Middle EAST and takes place on 2nd and 3rd of June 2016 at Hilton Al Hamra Beach and Golf Resort’s Convention Centre. The event’s strategic partners are the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce, Barbera Café and RAK SME, a chamber initiative dedicated to developing Emirati entrepreneurship.

With recent announcements such as Hakaya Collection’s deal with the US franchise Kona Grill, the event comes at the right time for the emirate and will act as the key platform for discovering new ideas and business proposals being developed within the franchise formula. The two day itinerary will include a conference encouraging franchisors and investors to come together and discuss with industry experts the different components of the franchising process, focusing on areas such as: franchising your business, finding the right brand, the legal aspects of franchising, social media and franchising, and other topics. The conference will also highlight the overall development of the emirate and future plans from developers, shopping malls, hotels, general tourism and franchise companies with experience in the emirate.

Rashed Jehad Sawaqed, RAK SME , Feasibility Studies and Business Development Consultant said: "We are pleased to be a strategic partner in Ras Al Khaimah's first franchise exhibition. This will be a strong platform for the development of our plans at SME RAK. Franchising is a collective way to grow and it is through collaborative effort that it is possible to discover the areas where opportunities exist. For SMEs franchising is definitely a potential growth option. Through working together, the future of SMEs in the relevant sectors in the region can be supported, sustained and made permanent. Similar businesses can group their assets together, create and agree on the brand and invite other small players to become part of a bigger business network - be it, for example, in fast foods, printing, real estate services, or small accounting firms."

 

Amongst the broad range of international franchises being exhibited, there’s noteworthy participation from various brands from Canada, France, Italy, Singapore, the Philippines and the US, as well as successful UAE brands which have already established their presence in the international market and have chosen RAKIFCE and Apex Middle East as their entry point to the UAE and region. The international nature of the event is also reflected in the growing number of investors and visitors anticipated from the local market, who clearly represent the desire for overseas growth from UAE franchises.

RAKIFCE will certainly not be lacking in new business concepts with a sharp focus on current trends and  how the franchise formula is adapting to growing demand and new consumer habits. These include exciting brand models such as KCAL Healthy Fast Food, Mambo Pizza, Charley’s Grilled Subs, The Bagel Bar, Beavertails, Fast Signs, Sherpa Kids, Heritage for Henna, Bakeria, Chef Express, Doner and Gyros, Remax, Asteco, 82 American Diner, 800 Pizza, Pingus English, Danube, Jifco and Le Soie amongst others.