Franchise expo provides business opportunities

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Dozens of foreign and locally franchised businesses are holding a three-day franchise expo to seek partnerships with local businesspeople to provide business opportunities and to promote the growth of locally franchised businesses.

The expo, titled "Franchise and Business Opportunities in Indonesia," is being held at the Jakarta Convention Center, South Jakarta, from Nov. 6.

It is supported by the Indonesian Franchise Association (AFI) and the Indonesian Retailers Association (APRINDO) in association with Panorama Convex.

"Around 60 percent of the companies participating in the expo are foreign franchisers, while the rest are local," said Rocky Kalalo from Panorama Convex. The overseas companies are from Singapore, Australia, Germany, Libya and the United States.

Seventy-eight companies are participating in the expo, offering a wide range of business opportunities, from automotive to education.

Many well-known names are offering franchises at the expo, including Hartz Chicken Buffet, English First, Santika Hotel, Alfa Minimarket, Buana Bakery and The British Institute.

"From the various business lines offered at the expo, visitors can choose which would be suitable for them," said Hafizh Daniel, a project coordinator from Panorama Convex.

Several other companies are also offering unusual business lines as franchises, such as security, by Australian Professional Bodyguard, storage, by Howard Storage World, and food seasoning by Magfood.

"Right now is the perfect time to start your own business, especially with a stable exchange rate. You can start with as little as Rp 50 million (about US$5,917) to begin your own business," said Anang Sukandar, chairman of AFI.

He added that it was better to choose a franchise business that already had a minimum of five years' experience and had well-known brands, so the franchiser would know about the basics of franchising, and everything, including safety, would be guaranteed.

Anang also said that at present there were approximately 232 foreign and 47 locally franchised businesses, of which 50 percent were based on the food and beverage industry.

Besides the expo, there is a seminar about franchised business opportunities, and also an event titled "Business Matching," which provides free consultation from experts to help investors in making decisions.