MANILA, Philippines — Filipino exporters could diversify into franchising as many foreign franchisors are shifting their interest in Asia with the weakening of the global market particularly the slowdown in the US and debt crisis in the Euro zone.

Samie Lim, chairman of the World Franchise Council (WFC) said that over the next five years many franchisors are now setting their sights on Asia amidst the current global economic slowdown.

During the recent franchising conference, Lim noted that franchising could be an alternative venture particularly for exporters, as long as they will adopt the franchising model of expansion.

Lim said many exporters are already knowledgeable about the original equipment manufacturing (OEM), original design manufacturing (ODM) and original brand manufacturing (OBM).

"We should be displaying original Philippine designs. Franchising brought the third dimension called original brand manufacturing," he noted.

Lim reiterated his projections for the country's franchising industry which was seen to generate P50 billion in additional investments in the next three years.

"New franchise stores or restaurants would generate about P200 billion additional sales revenues and provide 125,000 jobs in the next five years," he said.

Apart from crisis-hit exporters, franchising can be also a business option for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) particularly those affected by political crisis in other countries.

With the growth of the franchising industry, Lim gave credit to the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) for conducting a Philippine franchise masterplan funded by the United States Assistance for International Development (USAID).