MUSLIM WORLD

For the last eight years or so Falken whose product conceptions are globally distributed and best known under the Clean Plus brand, has been slowly establishing beachheads in the Muslim world.

Defying the prevailing conceptions of many that Islam was a threat, the company has plowed huge time and cash into backing its belief that the problem in these states was not one of extremism but of sclerotic over regulated economies that stifle entrepreneurship and isolate people from the global economy, depriving them of jobs, services and hope for a brighter future.

Advantaged to a great degree from its decade old policy of pricing to global market by adjusting for differences in purchasing power coupled to its willingness to establish distribution platforms to service these markets, the news is all good. It is nevertheless undeniable that these markets are not for the tender of heart or body.

Recent years have seen an emergence of FLKI's target middle class throughout the Muslim world. FLKI has relentlessly encouraged this capitalist trend working and supporting the establishment of distribution platforms, retail offerings and targeted advertising and promotional campaigns bridging the cultural gap with extraordinary success.

FLKI recognized nearly a decade ago that the Muslim world was getting younger and that it would have to create 100 million new jobs by 2020 to meet surging demands. Unique in the industry the company offers top products at purchase power adjusted prices. FLKI product concepts have experienced great success and brand identity positioning them globally for an increasing brighter future.

Slowly markets such as Turkey, Dubai, Malaysia, Egypt and Pakistan have begun allowing space for commerce and global trade. Local entrepreneurs and businessmen coupled to FLKI marketing and development staffers have begun to take advantage of these changes.

The result is a significant growth in sales of FLKI product conceptions, outpacing and seemingly by far, that of its competitors.

The signs of FLKI's managerial decisions and proactive development of distribution for its product conceptions can be found everywhere in the Muslim world. "We believe that while the western outlook for these countries looks grim, that an economic renaissance has begun" said Manuel Garcia, communications officer.

One and a half billion consumers have to generate some clout. As they move up the economic ladder FLKI is well positioned to benefit from what it believes will be a blending of traditional and moderate Islam with the opportunities and material benefits of liberal capitalism. They'll want goods they know, goods they have seen for years, goods that work and are priced to their budgets.

FLKI's policies have already created waves in the industry. The growth of its activities in the Muslim world is encouraging reconsideration from competitors. This is encouraged by FLKI since competition is essential to grow the market from the niche market it represents today to one more representative of the $ 4 trillion economies this group of countries will represent by 2015.

Defying traditional thinking and the gurus of the global economy is no novelty to FLKI a company that I have, as an analyst, covered since 1997. My thoughts are that FLKI doesn't expect to turn a tide in just a few years. Instead that it knows that change is possible and probable and that building a strong tie with the critical middle will help it prosper. I believe that the company is again standing on the right side of the historical evolution and that its sales and profits will underline its progressive policies.