Morocco, country guest of honour 2010

Every year, Franchise Expo Paris turns the spotlight on a specific country and its franchises.

This year, Morocco succeeds Brazil as Franchise Expo Paris’ special guest of honour. Generally considered to be, the most dynamic country in North Africa on a par with Tunisia, this nation with strong historical links to France has been attracting a growing number of entrepreneurs and networks. In choosing Morocco, Franchise Expo’s principal aim was to promote a market that is very active in exporting as well as importing franchise concepts.

The franchise and networked business sector has seen remarkable growth (24% on average every year from 1997 to 2006) and today counts over 400 networks and almost 3,200 outlets spread throughout the major cities, but chiefly in Casablanca and Rabat. With a galloping rate of urbanisation (62% in 2010 versus 55% in 2007) and changing consumer habits, Morocco’s medium-sized towns are seeing a striking increase in franchising, in terms of both sales and services. Consequently, the Moroccan Franchise Federation was established in 2002 in an attempt to standardise practices and keep the sector’s various players abreast of changes in their markets. It has facilitated the entry of new brands into the Moroccan market and enabled existing brands – Moroccan and international – to grow in optimum conditions.

Today, Morocco has become one of the largest markets of the Mediterranean Basin and one of the top growth areas for French and Spanish brands. Brands from France have been quick to invest in various franchised sectors, especially in fashion and clothing, which represent 25% of all French outlets. There are now already around 100 French networks that have developed successfully within many Moroccan cities: Jeff de Bruges, Speedy, Orchestra, Pigier, Celio, Lady Fitness, Guy Hoquet and others.

Similarly, successful Moroccan concepts have begun to develop abroad, in other Mediterranean countries, including France. This is particularly the case with Marwa (fashion sector), Venezia Ice and Top Classe (both convenience food sector).

After Spain, Italy, the USA, Middle Eastern countries and Brazil, 2010 sees the turn of Morocco, for a number of reasons including the longstanding special relationship between France and Morocco and because Franchise Expo Paris show welcomes every year several delegations of moroccan visitors, investors, franchisees, franchisors, master franchisees ...

The Moroccan Franchise Federation - Fédération Marocaine de la Franchise - FMF and Maroc Export, will present the most dynamic export-oriented concepts in the Moroccan:

 Benson Shoes - Best Real Estate - Marwa - Venezia Ice

Each year, number of Moroccan visitor increase. In 2010, Franchise Expo Paris welcomed near 400 Morocan visitors.

In 2010, country of the year is Morocco. The Business Award Franchise 2010 will be given to a Moroccan franchisor for its successful international development.

This initiative is being launched by Franchise Expo Paris, the French
Franchise Federation and Reed Exhibitions France with the aim of encouraging the development of a franchise
beyond its borders.

Jury

The winner will be choose by a jury made up of international franchising professionals.

- Madam Mounia BOUCETTA, Domestic trade Director, Ministry for industry and the Moroccan trade.
- Mister Abderrahmane BELGHITI, President of the Moroccan Franchise Federation, FMF
- Mister Adil ELMALIKI, Managing director of the OMPIC, Moroccan Office of the Commercial and Industrial property.

Criterias

- Originality of the concept
- Significance of its national and international development and establishment
- Rate of expansion of the franchise over the last three years in its country of origin and internationally

Nominations

The Moroccan brands nominated to the Business Award Franchise 2010 were presented during the press conference in January 2010.

BENSON SHOES - www.benson-shoes.com 
KITEA - www.kitea.ma
MOBILIA - www.mobilia.ma
VENEZIA ICE - www.venezia-ice.com
YATOUT - www.yatout.ma

The Business Award Franchise 2010 goes to MARWA

The awards ceremony was take place at Franchise Expo Paris 2010, from 7.00 p.m. on Monday 15th March 2010 - Village créateurs d'entreprises area.

Previous Countries guest of honour & Business Awards Franchise

More information on Morocco, country guest of honour 2010.

More information on Brazil, country guest of honour 2009.