CLARA International, one of the country's biggest beauty chains, is expanding its time-tested franchise programme worldwide with its entry into India's beauty industry.

Last week, Clara International Master Franchise signed an agreement with Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty Ltd (India) (JHHB) to appoint the latter as master franchisee in India.

Clara International founder and chairman Datin Dr Clara L Chee said the partnership is timely given India is currently the rising star in the global economic arena with a massive population and a young, well-educated workforce.

"Our new business partner, Jawed Habib, is a well-recognised figure in India, where he has established one of the largest hair salons and academy chains over there.

"With this new partnership, we are confident of leveraging on Habib's extensive network in India to produce an undeniably excellent partnership in India's beauty industry," she said at the signing ceremony in Petaling Jaya.

Also present were Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Ashok K.Kantha, Malaysian Industry Government Group for High Technology president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Dr Ahmed Tasir Lope Pihie, India's leading hairstylist Jawed Habib, Clara International chief executive Datuk SC Woo and chief operating officer Woo Wee Kang.

As master franchisee in India, JHHB will be responsible for establishing Clara International beauty centres throughout the country.

To date, JHHB has more than 90 hair salons in India, which Jawed plans to increase to over 150 in the next six months.

Clara International, which started as a beauty salon in 1977, now has over 50 beauty centres throughout Malaysia.

Chee said she initially established Clara International only as a beauty salon, but it has since developed into an award-winning beauty group encompassing all aspects of beauty.

She said most people only know Clara International from its nationwide chain of beauty salons and treatment centres but not the company's activities.

"Our education arm, Clara International Aesthetic College, has trained over 20,000 students and it is the first and only beauty college to be recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education.

"We are also involved in extensive research and development (R&D) through our laboratories to produce the latest proven skincare products, which are manufactured at two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Malaysia and China," she said.

Clara International franchise programme, which is managed by Clara Network Sdn Bhd, aims to share business opportunities with entrepreneurs around the world.

"Through the Clara International business format franchise, we are sharing this time-tested programme with all interested parties.

"It comprises a set of comprehensive manuals and training programmes, which is a replication of Clara International's 30 years of success," Chee said.

More than 60 per cent of 50 Clara International beauty centres in Malaysia are owned by franchisees.

Chee said besides enjoying an internationally recognised name in the beauty industry, franchisees also stand to reap the benefits of the company's fully-integrated set up - Clara International's own R&D facilities, manufacturing plants, beauty centres, beauty colleges and beauty equipment distributors.

Clara International and its founder was each awarded the Homegrown International Franchisor of the Year and Franchisor Women Entreprenuer of the Year in 2006 by the Malaysian Franchise Association.