The Kuwait Business Council Reveals Tips for Franchise Success in Dubai

Dubai UAE

Sallam Sallam

The Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy – the educational arm of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (Dubai SME), which is one of the agencies under the Department of Economic Development of Dubai – organised in cooperation with the Kuwait Business Council in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (KuwaitBC) a panel discussion on franchising rights and tips

From Kuwait, Khaled Al Rashed, CEO of Francorp Kuwait, the international franchising consultancy, along with Mishari Aloud, entrepreneur and co-founder of CAF Cafe, participated in the discussion, with more than 120 attendees from KuwaitBC and Dubai SME showing interest in small-project franchising

The event is part of the “Entrepreneurial Dialogues” initiative launched earlier by KuwaitBC to serve as an open platform for dialogue with Kuwaiti entrepreneurs and business leaders, and to share the successes and challenges they have encountered in their pioneering careers

The session addressed the merits of franchising, the features that differentiate it from other investment models (such as commercial agencies), and the recommended processes to assess and access successful franchise opportunities while reducing risk. The session also discussed the future of franchising in light of the surge of e-commerce, and the extent to which young entrepreneurs in the Gulf are able to create brands that can evolve regionally and globally. The experience of CAF Cafe, from its inception in Kuwait to its expansion in other Gulf countries, was presented as a case in point, exemplifying an integrated franchising system

“We are pleased to strengthen cooperation with the Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy in organising the ‘Entrepreneurial Dialogues’ initiative, which addresses subjects of interest to every entrepreneur and to anyone about to start their own project,” said Luma Bourisly, Chairwoman of KuwaitBC

“This initiative consists of open dialogues with people who have had first-hand experiences in our entrepreneurship environment, with sessions touching on challenges and success stories in all transparency, offering a realistic snapshot of entrepreneurship,” she added. “Globally, franchising is undergoing major transformations with the revolution in technology and e-commerce, among other factors. Through this session of ‘Entrepreneurial Dialogues, we wanted to shed light on the experience of a Kuwaiti brand that has made its way into franchising in such a highly competitive market as the speciality-coffee market in the Gulf”

KuwaitBC was established in 2016 as a non-profit organisation under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The first iteration of its kind for business communities outside the State of Kuwait, it aims to enhance the expertise, opportunities, and relationships of its members. KuwaitBC accepts as part of its membership all Kuwaiti companies, businesspeople, and individuals operating – or desiring to expand – in UAE markets