UAE Women Eye Business Opportunities

From The Star Online: Simple rules and regulations, attractive tax incentives and a welcoming environment are the qualities that businesswomen from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) look for when exploring investment opportunities in any country, including Malaysia.

In a media session at Power Ladies UAE-Malaysia Roundtable 2011 that featured prominent women business leaders from the UAE, Raja Easa Al-Gurg, Fatima Al-Jaber, Faiza Al-Sayed and Huda A. Al-Matroushi, agreed that Malaysia did offer business opportunities that they were looking to explore, especially in the halal food industry.

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Fast Food Franchise Burgeons

From AME Info: Alternative Dining Experience Restaurants Management L.L.C. has announced the sale of 18 Dukkan Falafel franchises across the UAE in just seven months.

The pioneering fast-food franchise has been growing rapidly for some time now.

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Food Franchise Signs Agreement with UK-based Group

From ameinfo.com: As part of its expansion plan, Al Farooj Fresh, a fast-casual food franchise chain in UAE, has signed an agreement with Al-Amin Holdings, a UK-based business group, awarding them the franchise rights for opening up six Al Farooj outlets in the UAE.

Al-Amin Holdings, established in 2001, specialises in catering services and real estate development.

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Franchising and Entrepreneurship Summit is Successful

From YourStory.org: Franchise Middle East hosted an entrepreneur and franchising summit in UAE scheduled on 15th June 2011 at Aloft at Abu Dhabi Hotel, in association with Indian Franchise Association and Kaizensox Consulting.

The event centred on spotting and selecting new and growth business opportunities for entrepreneurial Startup and franchise ventures in UAE and the Middle East region. It is endeavored to create opportunities for interested investors and entrepreneurs to network, forge alliances and learn about new products, services and trends in the region’s business environment.

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Beirut is Franchising Flavour of the month

From the FT: Brand Lebanon has become a hot commodity in the United Arab Emirates.

Bored with old, established western brands such as McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken, the Gulf is hungry for newer, trendier products to fill both local stomachs and the proliferation of malls opening in the region.

Demand for Lebanese concepts has surged, and the country has been exporting its coffee shops, restaurants and quick-service outlets to other parts of the Arab world.

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