Global corporate travel and expense management specialist FCm Travel Solutions has flagged Africa and the Middle East as major growth regions for the company’s network during the next 12 months.

FCm global brand leader Gregory Lording said strategic expansion, predominantly through FCm’s licensee network, would capture the growth in the corporate travel market in Africa and the Middle East and boost capabilities in those regions for FCm’s existing clients.

“FCm has seven corporate travel offices in Africa and we are currently looking at a number of partnership opportunities to strengthen our presence and offering in that segment of the market,” Mr Lording said.

“Our expansion into Africa will leverage the benefits of increasing commercial engagement with Africa from corporate clients from places such as Australia, Middle East and the US. Australia now has more than 220 mining and resource companies working on projects across an estimated 42 African countries, according to recent government reports.

“FCm has long been a specialist in corporate travel management for the mining and resources sector and we view Africa as a region of high business potential and growth for our global business.”

Mr Lording said FCm’s interest in the Middle East was on the back of the business’s success in the region, which was significantly boosted in 2007 when FCm’s parent company, Flight Centre Limited, opened a company-owned office in Dubai.

FCm currently operates offices in nine locations across the Middle East region with plans in the pipeline for further growth in the region in 2012.

Mr Lording said that on the table for FCm was an aggressive two-to-three year expansion plan, which would see the company potentially grow network coverage to over 100 countries.

“FCm is one of the world’s most stable yet progressive corporate travel management companies with around 5,800 staff world-wide and 390 offices spread across more than 75 countries. While we are keen to continue our growth strategy over the next few years we are mindful that growth needs to be measured and planned, and that all of our new partners have strong synergies with our business.

“Strategic growth, largely through our licensee network in Africa and the Middle East will provide our existing clients around the world with more customised and local services in these growing hubs.”