Both the workshops was extremely educational, motivational and mutually beneficial to franchise companies and prospective franchisees.

The speakers at the premier Franchise Legal Workshop were Mr. Saurabh Mishra and Ms. Preeti Mehta. Some of the most knowledgeable legal experts in the franchising space. Mr. Saurabh Mishra spoke about the laws that impact franchising and Mr. Preeti Mehta covered the fundamentals of franchising. Speaking at the event, she mentioned that there is a need for franchise professionals to be aware of the legal framework in franchising. She is also the chairperson for the FAI Legal Committee, apart from her full time role as Sr. Partner of Kanga & Co.

Saurabh Mishra mentioned that the Franchising Association of India is spearheading change in franchising and educating, franchisors, franchisees and the like.

The other worshop organised this month was "Doing Business trough the Franchising Route" The Worksop mainly educated the participants about the ABCs of franchising as a business module. Mr. Rajeev Singh of Team India Mangers and Mr. Dhawal Shah of FAI covered the basics. They educated the participants on what the franchising module was all about and how one should evaluate a franchising opportunity. The various business opportunities were presented by Mr. Lakshmi Narayanan, of REBI (Real Estate Bank of India)who is in the franchsing of real estate business. Franchising in the real estate sector is fairly new and untapped, thus making it a very attrative franchise module. The workshop ended with the presentation of Participation Certificates for all present.

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The Franchising Association of India is a Membership Organisation of Franchisors, Franchisees, Vendors, Consultants, Financial Institutions and Students and others. Our services are dedicated to provide a one-stop shopping experience for franchising business and with membership of the prestigious World Franchise Council we have ongoing access to knowledge of the World accepted best practice related to Franchising in different areas of business activity as also networking contacts with the WFC member Franchising Associations in different parts of the world for generating new business opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs.

In recognition of the increasing role of franchising in the market place and the very beneficial positive contributions of franchising to the Indian economy, the franchisor and franchisee members of the FAI believe that franchising must reflect the highest principles and standards of fair business practices.

Mission
Tap the vast entrepreneurial energy available in the country by promoting the concept and practice of franchising in India.

Objectives
- Exchange and safeguard the business environment for franchising, both with regard to franchisors and franchisees
- Act as the resource centre for current and prospective franchisors, franchisees, the media and the Government.
- Disseminate knowledge to promote the concept of 'franchising' and propagate it as a healthy business practice.
- Establish a forum for discussion and deliberation on Franchising related matters and problems and help promote the interest of members by organising seminars, conferences and meetings.

Activities
To work towards achievement of the above mission and objectives our activities will include:
- Creation of appropriate forums for discussion of issues and problems related to Franchising.
- International linkages to promote - bringing in of foreign frachisors and best practice for doing business in India through Marketing India at International Expos and otherwise.
- Make representations to the Government with regard to legislative and other measures affecting the promotion of concept and practice of Franchising.
- Encouraging Bank and Venture Capital funding for franchisees.
-Publication of Franchising Successes
- Creation of India's most comprehensive Online Franchise Directory - which helps franchisors promote their business's and attract new franchisees.

For more information about FAI, please visit www.fai.co.in