Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia to focus on franchising technology in bordering areas

         A project meant to create a network for cooperation in franchising matters in the Lithuanian-Latvian-Belarusian bordering region has been approved by Belarus’ Council of Ministers. The Minsk City Executive Committee is the originator. The project will be implemented in line with the European Union’s transboundary cooperation program for Latvia, Lithuania, and Belarus within the framework of the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument for 2007-2013. According to Minsk City Executive Committee, the economic potential of the markets in the bordering region of Latvia, Lithuania, and Belarus with regard to franchising development has not been determined yet. Only individual franchisers penetrate the markets of Lithuania, Latvia, and Belarus, and, as a rule, they set up enterprises only in the largest cities of the three countries – Riga, Vilnius, and Minsk. As part of the project’s implementation a network for cooperation between organizations will be set up for the sake of promoting franchising. A PR campaign will be arranged as well as measures to establish business contacts. An international conference on franchising has been planned. All the research and training materials will be freely available on the project’s website. A training course in franchising will be developed for the sake of teaching it in universities of the three countries.