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U.S. Franchises Looking for Regional Partners

South Africa
April 11, 2007

On May 2, 3, and 4, 2007 the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria and the Franchise Association of Southern Africa (FASA) will jointly host a series of activities to promote franchising opportunities in the region. These activities will take place against the backdrop of the 24th International Franchise and Entrepreneur Exposition, taking place at the Sandton Convention Center (Johannesburg) from May 3 to May 5.

Economic and regulatory officials from SADC governments will travel to Johannesburg for technical training to be conducted by the International Franchise Association (IFA) based in Washington, D.C., FASA, and other franchising experts. This training will highlight the role of franchising in sustainable economic development and will focus on the creation of an enabling environment for franchise to thrive.

For example, SADC regulators will meet with American and South African experts on intellectual property rights, financing, and human resource development. In addition, they will interact with representatives of international development organizations, who will discuss franchise from a macro-economic development perspective.

The meetings in May will also be attended by a delegation of American franchise companies organized by the IFA. These companies are all well established in their fields in the United States and beyond, and are each offering fresh economic models to potential southern African partners.

The U.S. franchise owners who will be traveling to South Africa for this event represent a number of industries, including professional cleaning services for offices or institutions, home repair, restaurants, business management, personalized printing, batteries, and pet grooming franchises. All have proven business models that are transferable to this region.

For more information on the Exposition, please visit: www.fasa.co.za or contact Conference Coordinator Alison Notley at: hoghill@telkomsa.net or Tel.: 028 840 0158.

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