KUALA LUMPUR: The rebranding of Perbadanan Nasional Bhd, involving the change of its acronym and logo from PNS to Pernas, is set to further strengthen the agency's position as the champion of franchise industry growth in Malaysia.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this was one of its strategies to provide a clearer picture to the public on the role of Pernas in the franchise industry and address the issue of brand confusion with other organisations over the years.
The franchise industry, he said, is one of the main sectors other than cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs that have a significant impact and contribute to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.
He said Pernas is also developing SME entrepreneurs towards affordable franchises so that more potential entrepreneurs can venture into the franchise business.
"The franchise business is seen as the business model of choice for entrepreneurs seeing the business systems is easy to follow and highly effective in developing local entrepreneurs. I am confident that it will be able to achieve our target of producing 100 millionaires a year among SMEs," he said in a statement today.
The rebranding move will include a fresh new logo and modern colours that symbolise the support given by Pernas through efforts to empower entrepreneurs.
Wan Junaidi said the franchise industry saw an increase in annual sales value of 17.3 per cent, which is equivalent to RM13.3 billion, compared to RM11 billion in 2019.
To date, a total of 1,077 franchise companies are registered while 68 local franchise companies have successfully penetrated the international market and are found in 70 countries.
Meanwhile, Pernas chairman Datuk Zakaria Mohd Edris said the agency had allocated nearly RM1.3 billion in funds to more than 5,500 entrepreneurs and has created more than 34,000 jobs since 2004.
"In line with the rebranding, Pernas will continue to grow more local franchise brands with the launch of two of its latest projects, namely Project Xcelerator and Project 'Be Your Own Boss (BYOB)' at the beginning of the year, which is set on producing five local franchise entrepreneurs and 1,000 franchisees," he said.
Pernas and agencies under the ministry will move in tandem and support its aspirations of making entrepreneurship and cooperatives the main agenda towards creating a conducive and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Pernas, established on Nov 29 1969, is owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc.) with the mandate to lead the development of the Malaysia's franchise industry.
Since 2004, it has spearheaded the growth of the Malaysian franchise industry and increased the number of franchise entrepreneurs by offering quality services and products.
It also provides training and special schemes for franchisors and franchisees as well as welcoming franchise partners to Malaysia.