Kuwaiti publishing group AlWaseet International has signed a Master Franchise agreement for Nigeria with The Middle Advertisement Limited. The group publishes the AlWaseet classified in both Arabic and English, with a reported weekly circulation of 20 million.

'Continued corporate expansion is high on our priority list as we drive the business forward,' says AlWaseet International CEO Bashar Kiwan. 'It is our aim to have 100 operations by the year 2012 in the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) area and beyond, and it is partly through franchising that we will achieve this. The Ifra conference is the perfect platform for us to launch this initiative as we are able to reach many of the key players in the industry.'

AlWaseet International has been assisted in the development of its franchise package by FDS Dubai, an affiliated office of the UK franchise consultancy and publications group that has been established since 1981, providing a one-stop range of services to franchisors seeking to expand internationally. 'AlWaseet have long been pioneers in the advertising publications sector and in keeping with their pioneering spirit they are the first in the region to franchise,' says Tracey Furey, Managing Director of FDS Dubai. 'The attributes of the AlWaseet organisation make for an excellent franchise proposition and we look forward to seeing the brand grow well beyond the regional borders.'

FDS Dubai Managing Director Tracey Furey

Published: 22 January 2007

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