KOTA KINABALU, Aug 17 — Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick has called on more local entrepreneurs, especially in Sabah, to explore opportunities in the franchise sector, which has great potential to contribute to the country’s economic growth.

He said that to date, five local companies from Sabah have received franchise certificates.

“I hope more local entrepreneurs will venture into this sector,” he said after visiting the franchisor outlet Fook Yuen Cafe & Bakery in Inanam and the licensee Packaging Mart in Putatan today.

Fook Yuen Cafe & Bakery, operated by Lo Tze Jet, received its franchise registration certificate at the UDA BizFrancais PERNAS Carnival yesterday (Saturday). The brand currently has seven outlets operating across Sabah.

“I welcome Fook Yuen’s ambition to expand its business to Peninsular Malaysia and to participate in international franchise expos coordinated by my ministry,” Ewon said.

On the same day, he also visited Packaging Mart in Putatan, run by women entrepreneur Deana Mojigoh. The company received RM250,000 in financing from Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS), an agency under KUSKOP, through the Successful Woman Entrepreneurship Engagement Talents (SWEET) programme.

“I am proud to see many entrepreneurs in our country venturing into the franchisor/franchisee and licensor/licensee business models. I hope the success of Fook Yuen Cafe and Ms. Deana will serve as inspiration and motivation for other entrepreneurs in Sabah,” he added.

Ewon said that KUSKOP, together with PERNAS, will continue to introduce various initiatives to raise awareness and further drive the development of the franchise sector nationwide.

Also present during the visits were Deputy Secretary-General (Entrepreneurship Development) Datuk Saidatu Akhma Hassan, PERNAS Chairman Datuk Mohamed Rozhan Mohd Ghazalli, PERNAS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Nor Azam M. Taib, and representatives from KUSKOP agencies.