Backgrounder: ECER-PNS Franchise Development Programme

3/11/2009 — Press Release
BACKGROUNDER: ECER-PNS FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Implemented since 1992, the Franchise Development Programme under Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) is one of the government’s strategies to develop a Bumiputera Commercial and Industrial Community (BCIC) and underpin the development of Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
To support the franchise businesses among the Bumiputera graduates in east coast, East Coast Economic Region (ECER) is in collaboration with Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) to introduce a franchise programme for this region.
ECER Development Council (ECERDC) will be the principal co-coordinator and Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) is the main capital provider.
MODE OF COLLABORATION
Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) will finance 90% in soft loan while ECERDC will support the balance amount of up to a maximum of 10%.
TARGET GROUP
Main focus is on unemployed graduates originating from the east coast
OBJECTIVES
To develop new entrepreneurs among the unemployed graduates, women and youths from East Coast region through Franchise Development Programme offered by Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS).
SELECTION PROCESS BY PNS
Phase 1:
Online Registration – Minimum Diploma Holder, Age NOT less than 21 years old and able to provide an upfront capital of 10% from the Total Development Cost.
Phase 2:
Seminars and Psycho-metric test.
Phase 3:
Entrepreneurial Training
Phase 4:
An Interview
Phase 5:
An intensive training
Phase 6:
Apprentice programme with franchisors
Final Phase:
Matching criteria encouraged by PNS to determine their involvement in desired nature of franchise business
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA BY ECERDC
ECERDC shall consider candidates based on the following:
•    Candidate who met overall criteria sets by PNS
•    Candidate resides in ECER
•    Business activities must be conducted geographically within ECER region.
•    Family earning of NOT more than RM2,500 per month or from the following groups:
– unemployed graduate
– single mother or women as the head of family
– disabled people
PROPOSED CRITERIA FOR SELECTED FRANCHISOR
•    Interested Candidates MUST complete Matching Exercise
•    Medium Scale Business – Total Investment between RM 100,000 to RM400, 000.
•    Nature of Business – Food, Education (Smart Learning), Souvenir Shop, Retail, Travel Agent and ICT.
•    Business Venue, location in the East Coast Region is a MUST.
•    Seeding Grant required – from RM10,000 – RM40,000.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
•    The first 5 years contract will be awarded to successful candidates on A renewable basis based on compliances of expected performance.
•    The first 6 months of business operations will be the grace period before the candidates are required to pay monthly installments amounting to 4% interest rates for loans made.
ABOUT PNS
Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS), formerly known as PERNAS, was incorporated in November 29, 1969.
With an authorized capital of RM 1 billion and a paid up capital of RM 751 million, PNS’ majority shareholder is the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc.). PNS operates under the ambit of the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (MECD).
PNS is responding to the Government’s call to increase the size of Bumiputera Commercial and Industrial Community (BCIC). Various strategies have been designed and implemented and in addition to providing resources, PNS will offer Bumiputera entrepreneurs enhancements on professionalism, business acumen, ethics and discipline.
LIST OF FRANCHISORS UNDER THE CURRENT PROGRAMME
OTAI FRANCHISE – Food (burger)
1901 – Food
KAMAL & KAMAL PEST CONTROL SDN BHD – Pest Control Services
ROZAIMI OPTOMETRIST SDN BHD – Optometrist Services
WASSIYAH SHOPPE SDN BHD – Legacy Property Management
SAVE COST AUTO ACCESSORIES SDN BHD – Car Spare Parts & Accessories Shop
JUKE BOX – Retail
NOOR ARFA BATEK SDN BHD – Batek Clothing Boutique
SMART READER WORLDWIDE SDN BHD – Learning Centre
Q-DEES WORLDWIDE EDUSYSTEMS (M) SDN BHD – Learning Centre
SYNERGY FARM (M) SDN BHD – Agricultural Farm
SRI SUTRA TRAVEL SDN BHD – Travel Agent
DYNAMIC PHARMASHOPPE & HEALTHCARE SDN BHD – Pharmacy
FOREST SECRET – Body, Skin Care, Cosmetic, Health Food & Drinks
ZOUK SPA – Spa
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