KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 12): The National Franchise Policy Document 2030 (DFN 2030) will be presented in the Cabinet Meeting on Friday, said Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.

He stated that the DFN2030 is a comprehensive and holistic policy designed to foster a robust and sustainable franchise ecosystem by transforming and strengthening local franchise brands while enhancing governance efficiency.

"The DFN 2030 encompasses five main pillars, such as improving policies and governance, promoting franchises as the preferred business model, strengthening the capacity and capability of franchise entrepreneurs, optimising access to financial assistance for franchise entrepreneurs, and expanding access to domestic and international markets," he said during the minister's question time session in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

He was responding to a query from Young Syefura Othman (Pakatan Harapan-Bentong) regarding current statistics of franchise entrepreneurs in Malaysia, and the ministry’s plans to elevate the franchise industry to the global stage.

Ewon also highlighted his ministry's franchise data cleansing initiative, aligned with the 2022 amendment to the Franchise Act 1998 (Section 10A), which mandates franchise registration renewal every five years.

“This renewal process indirectly helps the ministry regulate franchise business development more effectively,” he explained.

The ministry is also enhancing the promotion of local franchises at the international level through the Enhanced Franchise Development Program (EFDP).

A total of RM2.7 million has been allocated for 2025 under the EFDP, covering participation in international franchise exhibitions, business matching initiatives, export cost reimbursement for intellectual property registration abroad, and training for franchise entrepreneurs seeking international expansion.

Additionally, the ministry is establishing strategic cooperation with the Malaysian Franchise Association, a member of the Asia-Pacific Franchise Confederation and the World Franchise Council, to bolster the global competitiveness of Malaysian franchise brands.

Ewon noted that as of Oct 31, a total of 3,565 franchise entrepreneurs, including 1,310 franchisors and 2,255 franchisees, had been recorded through the Malaysia Franchise Express 2.0 (MyFEX 2.0) system.

“The MyFEX 2.0 system facilitates the registration of franchise companies in Malaysia, covering applications for franchisors and franchisees,” he added.

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