Press Releases

Seminar for SMEs on Franchising
Friday, November 2, 2001

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators who wish to know more about how to start a business by means of franchising are invited to attend a seminar on franchising on November 14.

The seminar, jointly organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Information Centre (SMEIC) of the Trade and Industry Department (TID), the Hong Kong Productivity Council SME Centre, and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 9.30 am to 1 pm at the Exhibition Hall, 4/F, HKPC Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon.

The purpose of the seminar is to introduce franchising as a possible way of starting business for SMEs. Discussions will focus on the modus operandi of various types of franchised operations, the selection criteria of a franchiser, the types of support that a franchiser will provide to a franchisee, and provisions in a franchise agreement that deserve particular attention by the franchisee.

During the seminar, Ms Charlotte Chow, Senior Manager, Business Policy, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, will speak on franchising in Hong Kong. Ms Andrea Fong, Partner, Wilkinson & Grist, will draw participants' attention to the major provisions in a franchise agreement.

Besides, representatives from 7-Eleven, rbt, as well as Japan Home Centre (HK) Ltd. will introduce to participants their franchise arrangements. Marketing representatives of these three franchisers will also be present to answer queries from participants.

The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission is free of charge. For enquiry, please call TID's Small and Medium Enterprises Office at 2398 5596 or 2398 5142. Details of the seminar can also be found at the Virtual SMEIC at http://www.sme.gcn.gov.hk.