The World Franchise Forum and the Moscow Franchise Expo 2018, which will be held in Russian capital for the first time, will be attended by 70 delegates and heads of international associations from 33 countries and 5 continents.
The event, which is being held with the support of the Moscow Government, the Russian Government, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, will be the industry’s pinnacle event around the world this year, Russian Franchising Association President Agnessa Osipova said at a press conference devoted to the first Moscow Entrepreneurship Week during which the Forum and exhibition will be held. From 30 May to 1 June, three events will take place simultaneously: the World Franchise Council, the World Franchise Forum, and the Moscow Franchise Expo.
“Franchising accounts for more than 40% of the turnover of goods and services around the world and provides an opportunity for both economic and cultural interaction among countries. From 30 May to 1 June, the capital will host almost all branches of the franchising industry, encompassing all aspects of public life. This includes public catering, retail, social, medical, industrial franchising, and so on”, Osipova said in comments on the scale of the event.
One of the key events of the World Franchise Forum and Moscow Franchise Expo will be a meeting of the World Franchise Council (WFC), which will bring together representatives of more than 30 countries. Members of the WFC and the heads of franchise associations from Australia, China, Mexico, Singapore, the United States, Philippines, and France will give reports addressing the specifics of the industry’s development in their countries and the main current trends.
“The World Council will lay out the strategic objectives and decisions concerning the industry’s development for the next year. At present, Russia is a presiding country for franchising, and for us the most important thing is that we are able to present all the focuses during this period by consolidating Moscow entrepreneurship, which makes up almost 50% of franchising in Russia, as well as the regional brands. Russia has more than 1450 concepts of which 67% are Russian franchises, and the Forum along with the exhibition is an excellent opportunity to enter foreign markets”, Osipova said, adding that speakers from Egypt, Spain, Belgium, Britain, and other countries will present extremely interesting concepts that will help attracting investment to Russia.
The Russian Franchising Association president said such concepts as ‘Made in Moscow’ and ‘Made in Russia’ will be presented at the Moscow Franchise Expo 2018. An entire pavilion will be allocated for matchmaking and working in the B2B format, so Moscow franchises will have an opportunity to enter the regional market, while Russian franchises will be able to enter the international market. The exhibition will also feature a business platform at which franchises of Russian brands are presented.
The business programme will devote special attention to the state support that franchising needs at all levels. One of the key sessions – ‘State Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises at the State and Regional Levels’ – will specifically focus on the development of exports and international integration.
“We expect to have prominent speakers at the federal and municipal levels who will speak about what exactly the state and city are doing to help businesses in such areas as social franchising, women’s entrepreneurship, the development of catering, the digital economy, and much more”, Osipova said, adding that the Forum will host the final rounds of the social and industrial franchise competitions as well as numerous master classes, roundtables, and thematic sessions.
Osipova noted the unique nature of franchising as the most reliable type of economic activity. “Franchising provides an opportunity to multiply the scale of your business. A good concept with high a profit margin can immediately be made into a large-scale operation. The Forum will provide a chance to learn about such opportunities. Or you can take an already successful franchise that is presented at the expo and invest in a reliable business that has made it through more than a year of crisis. Franchising is truly the most reliable type of economic activity for small and medium-sized businesses. That’s why 90% of companies working in franchising are able to overcome all the complexities of the transitional period. Everyone is invited to our unique event”, Osipova said.
