Support group will help Asian businesses flourish

Nov 20 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A SUPPORT group has been launched to help Asian business owners play a bigger role in the region’s economy and will help them find funding and win contracts with the Government.

Asian Business Connexions (ABC) has been set up by Asian figures from the public and private sector with the aim of providing services, such as helping them pitch for work or prepare new business propositions.

The group, which is headed by Gateshead Council diversity officer Nitin Shukla, said that many Asian business owners are unaware of the funding options open to them and that a programme of workshops and discussions would be rolled out across the North East to help them plug themselves into the wider business community.

He also said that many bosses within the Asian community were not getting a fair share of public sector contracts as they were unaware of the details surrounding the tender process and that ABC would be developing an education programme in this area over the coming months.

Mr Shukla, who is ABC’s chief executive, said: “ABC is a community interest company that will strengthen economic inclusion for minority ethnic groups and celebrate Asian business excellence.

“Its launch is a significant step forward for the North East and one of the positive outcomes we expect is greater cohesion between the thriving communities that this region boasts.