KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — In conjunction with the Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi 2023 (LTdL 2023), Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (Pernas), an agency under the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry, has joined forces with Bubbles O2 Sdn Bhd to boost the growth of the franchising industry.

Pernas Executive Committee chairman Datuk Abu Bakar As-Sidek Mohd Sidek said Bubbles O2, as one of the sponsors for LTdL 2023, has invited Pernas to work together to promote entrepreneurial spirit and offer franchising opportunities to participants and visitors at the prestigious sporting event.

He said that the Bubbles O2 Cavalcade also helped promote the franchising system to guide and provide support in financing, training, entrepreneur development and equity investment to the public, thus enabling them to explore and venture into the business.

“Three brands, namely 1901, Gloria Jean’s Coffees and FTW Racing, will also be participating and take the opportunities to promote their brands to cycling enthusiasts from all around the world.

“As part of the initiative #CariPernas @ Reruai Bubbles O2, this collaboration is designed to actively interact with roughly more than a million spectators along the eight routes of the LTdL 2023,” he said in his speech at the launching of the marketing and branding collaboration between Pernas and Bubbles O2 during LTdL 2023 here today.

Meanwhile, Bubbles O2 Sdn Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Ain Azizah Arifin said the investment value for the programme was RM1 million, which comprised RM800,000 in cash and RM200,000 in Bubbles O2 merchandise.

“Our sponsorship of LTdL is one of our efforts to boost our confidence level and bring the brand name to the international market,” she said.

LTdL 2023 will feature 132 cyclists from 22 teams with WorldTeam, ProTeam and Continental status apart from the national team.

This edition will see riders covering routes involving 11 states, with Stage 1 from Kerteh to Kuala Terengganu (184.4km); Stage 2 Kuala Terengganu-Kota Bharu (186.2 km); Stage 3 Jeli-Baling (177.1km); Stage 4 Bukit Mertajam-Meru Raya (140 km); Stage 5 Slim River-Genting Highlands (133.3km); Stage 6 Karak-Melaka (176.6km); Stage 7 Muar-Seremban 2 (125.7km) and Stage 8 Setia Alam-Kuala Lumpur (157km). — Bernama