Paving the Way to Asia's Licensing Market

Licensing activities has taken off locally as well as regionally, with many international firms recognising it as an effective strategy for business expansion, product range extension and relationship marketing in Asia.

SINGAPORE (April 2, 2003) - The GFL2003 (Global Franchising & Licensing2003), an annual franchising and licensing trade event, will be taking place in Singapore from 17-19 September 2003. From a purely franchising trade event (formerly known as Global Franchising), it has become more broad-based by encompassing licensing which includes branding, patents, trademark and other transactions of intellectual property rights (IPR).

Recognising the importance of licensing as an important fuel for IP industry, Mr Wong Sheng Kwai, Assistant Director General (Infrastructure Development Division) of IPOS (Intellectual Property Office of Singapore) said, "We learnt of how many Fortune 500 companies earn royalty income straight to the bottomline through licensing their intellectual properties. We hope that GFL2003 will inspire more out there to adopt this mode of exploitation of their intellectual assets." IPOS is one of the supporting organizations of GFL2003.

The widened scope attests to the potential of the region's Franchise and licensing sector for further growth. By providing an avenue for meetings and discussions, business opportunities and ventures can be explored to lead to mutually-beneficial franchising and licensing partnerships.

"Licensing is gaining inroad into our local and regional markets as one of the most compelling business trends, with many international firms recognising it as an effective strategy for business expansion, product range extension and relationship marketing in Asia," said Mr. Lim Boon Choon, Consultant for Harrods & Coopers who will be exhibiting at GFL2003.

In addition to the rapid expansion of licensing activity in the past three to four years, there has also been in a significant increase in the demand for licensing of sports, fashion and corporate brands for sale in local markets in Asia, rather than for export to US and Europe, noted Mr Jay Smith, President of Asian Licensing Partners Ltd. The exhibiting company hopes to meet more potential licensee candidates from South East Asia for their clients? brands, some of which include Daniel Hecter, Everlast, Esquire, Hot Kiss, Reebok, and Singer.

With the growth of consumer markets in Asia and as licensing activities becomes more better understood and well-received in Asia, the single biggest factor that would make a market, country or region conducive to franchising and licensing activities would have to be disposable income.

"As wealth grows, so does consumerism. As consumers become more brand discriminating, it would be possible to offer them more choices that not only performs a function, but also enable them to connect in some ways to their individuality that they want to express of themselves," said Smith. A solid legal system as well as transparency in accounting and financial reporting are also important factors as they relate directly to licensors being paid the proper amount of royalties, he added.

Other companies that will be exhibiting at GFL2003 include Alpha Centuri and Exnet (The Exchange Network). Alpha Centuri which manufactures a line of cosmetics, toiletries and skincare products, is hoping to seek out potential franchisees and licensees around the region to expand the reach of its product line, while Exnet - an online trading exchange and barter system - has a comprehensive portal hosting 20 divisions serves as a platform for businesses such as automotive, education, travel, healthcare, real estate and clothing.

As a guide to what can be expected at GFL2003, the event last year attracted 8,856 trade visitors from 40 countries. International brandnames from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Spain were at the show. Strong exhibitor delegations were aso led by Singapore, Thailand and the USA.

A repository of business opportunities with potential franchisees and licensees seeking out business partners, the event this year anticipates 10,000 discerning business representatives coming from the region. Expecting more than 200 exhibiting companies whose profile ranges from child development, cosmetics and skincare, food and beverage to professional consultancy services, GFL2003 is poised to deliver the right mix of potential investors and buyers, and generate sales leads for its exhibitors.

Quick Facts on GFL2003

What:
Global Franchising & Licensing 2003 (GFL2003)

When/Where:
17 ? 19 September 2003, Suntec Singapore, Hall 401

Co-organised by:
Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd
Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore)

Number of exhibiting companies:
220 (projected)

Concurrent Activities
Conferences, Seminars and Workshops

Brand & franchise Clinics
Business Matching Programme
Selected Site Visits

Supporting Organisations:
IE Singapore
SPRING Singapore
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
Innovators and Entrepreneurs Association
LES Singapore
Franchise Council of Australia
Bangladesh Franchise Association
Canadian Franchise Association
China Chainstore & Franchise Association
Asosiasi Franchise Indonesia
Japan Franchise Association
Korea Franchise Association
Malaysia Franchise Association
Franchising Association of New Zealand
Philippine Franchise Association
Association of Franchise Promotion, Taiwan
Spain Franchise Association
Taiwan Chainstores and Franchise Association
Thai Franchise Association
International Franchise Association
US Department of Commerce

About the Organiser

Singapore Exhibition Services is a leading organiser of international trade fairs in Singapore. It has a portfolio of more than 35 trade shows, each of which is a premier event for its respective industry in the Asia Pacific region.

Serving a wide spectrum of industries and businesses, SES organises dedicated international events for each of these industries - retailing and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), franchising, food and hospitality, information technology and networking, communication, multimedia and broadcasting, machine tools, woodworking, chemical processing, instrumentation and control, environmental technology, oil & gas and petrochemicals, and manufacturing.

Many of these shows are recognised by the Union des Foires Internationales and accorded Approved International Fair (AIF) Scheme status by IE Singapore.

For more information, please contact:

JJ Lian, Senior Public Relations Executive
Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd
47 Scotts Road, 11th Floor Goldbell Towers, Singapore 228233
Tel: (65) 6233 8626/Fax: (65) 6835 3040
E-mail: jj@sesmontnet.com
Website: www.sesmontnet.com