Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of KADIN (Indonesian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and WALI (Indonesian Franchising and
Licensing Association), I would like to welcome all of you.
On this special occasion, allow me to
explain the rationale behind the establishment of the ASEAN FRANCHISE COMMUNITY, abbreviated as AFC.
I have frankly been inspired by the wise views
of a a very distinguished statesman, Dr. Datuk Mahathir, the former Malaysian Prime Minister. He had advised
me, in a discussion in KL recently,
that equality and fair
treatment should be the basis of expanding the franchise market in ASEAN as an
integrated regional economy. Without
equality and fair treatment, he said, the development of
the franchise business within ASEAN could potentially face resistance.
As we approach the ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (AEC) in
2015 – an era of franchise business without national
borders – franchise investment
and market expansion as well as franchise network development within all ASEAN countries should be balanced and proportional.
The franchise communities in ASEAN is highly
recommended to have their own regional forum for coordinating, communicating
and consultations in order to formulate regional policies and programs that are acceptable and applicable in all member countries. Also, to find win-win solutions in facing possible resistance in franchise investment
and market expansion to and within each country’s marketplace. We should have a permanent forum that aims to achieve mutual trade benefits and win-win
trade relationships in
this region as well as in the global market. This
forum is called the AFC (ASEAN FRANCHISE COMMUNITY). Basically, AFC intends to develop equality in franchise market expansion regionally, as well as to establish a better business environment across national borders.
The AFC will be the official partner of the respective government of all ASEAN member countries as well as relevant Sectors Council within the AEC Council for the purpose of franchise development within ASEAN. The AFC will be aligned with one of the
master projects of ASEAN Connectivity, strengthening people-to-people
connectivity by building a closer community within ASEAN countries, in addition
to organizing dialogues
between franchise entrepreneurs and political leaderships in all ASEAN
member countries.
Specifically, AFC
will be a professional partner in AFTA Council, Coordinating Committee or
Working Groups of AEC institution.
Before concluding my speech, I would like to invite all franchise business councils,
associations or chambers of
commerce of respective ASEAN member countries to jointly form the AFC for our
mutual benefit.
Last but
not least, the political commitments and support of each government in ASEAN is
obviously needed. With regards to this matter,
I would like to thank the Ministry of Trade, Republic of Indonesia and The State Ministry of Cooperative and Small Medium Enterprises, Republic of Indonesia for theirs encouragement and support.
Thank you very much and enjoy your
dinner.
AMIR KARAMOY
Chairman, National Commission on Franchising and
Licensing
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN
INDONESIA)
