The first International Floating Franchise Exhibition concluded its events with remarkable success aboard the luxurious Aroya Cruise, with wide international participation from representatives of 24 countries. Held under the patronage of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, the event witnessed the signing of several international and local agreements aimed at enhancing the global presence of Saudi brands and positioning the Kingdom as a regional and global hub for franchise business.
The closing ceremony commenced with a keynote speech highlighting the Saudi identity and its mission to promote a global culture of business through the initiative “Saudi Franchise to the World,” which served as the central theme of the exhibition.
During the event, cooperation agreements were signed between the National Franchise Committee and entities from several countries including the UK, South Korea, South Africa, and China, as part of a broader effort to support the international expansion of Saudi brands and attract foreign investments. In addition, local agreements were signed with key government entities such as Monsha’at (Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority) and the Social Development Bank, to strengthen the infrastructure of the franchise sector within the Kingdom.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi, chairman of the National Franchise Committee, emphasized the exhibition’s strategic objectives, including:
• Launching a specialized investment fund to support Saudi brands and empower their expansion into international markets.
• ntroducing an interactive digital platform designed to connect Saudi brands with global investors, providing qualification, marketing, and technical support services to streamline international franchising.
• Establishing a national company for the alliance of Saudi brands, aimed at facilitating collective global expansion through strategic partnerships, joint procurement, and service integration.
The closing ceremony also included the recognition of sponsoring companies, government and international partners, and the Saudi Restaurants and Cafes Owners Association, in appreciation of their vital role in the exhibition’s success.
Dr. Al-Ghamdi announced that preparations are underway to host the next floating exhibition in Istanbul, further reflecting the committee’s commitment to expanding the global footprint of Saudi franchising.
He concluded by expressing his sincere gratitude to the team at the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and the crew of Aroya Cruise, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, praising their dedication and outstanding efforts in delivering this exceptional event.
The exhibition ran for three days, featuring 10 interactive workshops led by experts from various countries, alongside showcases of a wide array of Saudi brands eager to expand internationally — all aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to establish the Kingdom as a global center for franchising.
