Heaptalk, Tangerang — Dyandra Promosindo, in collaboration with the Indonesian Franchise Association (AFI), is once again organizing the 23rd International Franchise, License, and Business Concept Expo and Conference (IFRA), held in conjunction with the Indonesia Culinary Expo (ICE) 2025. IFRA x ICE 2025 is held from April 25 to 27 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD.
The exhibition, featuring 350 brands and 29 supporting business industries, was officially opened by Minister of Trade Budi Santoso on Friday (04/25). In his speech, Budi Santoso highlighted that Indonesia’s trade balance has returned to a surplus and expressed hope that IFRA x ICE 2025 would further boost trade performance.
“I believe this is possible as 350 brands participate in this event. I highly appreciate the organization of this expo, as franchising allows entrepreneurs to start a business without building from scratch, thereby fostering entrepreneurship,” said Budi.
He further added, “Our current entrepreneurship ratio is only 3.4%. However, this ratio must reach 10–12% to become a developed country. Franchising can help increase this ratio because, as we know, many of our MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) still lack strong management and operate primarily in survival mode.”
According to him, franchising offers well-structured management systems, making expanding domestically and internationally through business-matching programs easier. These programs, facilitated by the Ministry of Trade, connect foreign buyers with local MSMEs.
Thus far, most MSMEs participating in business matching have been product-based, while service sectors like franchising have yet to engage. Therefore, Budi Santoso encouraged franchise businesses to participate in these programs to expand into ASEAN markets first.
