New online information source for ethnic minority business

22.04.2004

All communities have economic potential that should be maximised for the benefit of all. That's the thinking behind the relaunch today of the website of ABi Associates Ltd, one of Europe's leading companies facilitating creative talent and enterprise among ethnic minorities.

ABi Associates Ltd designs and delivers innovative business support programmes in support of ethnic minority entrepreneurs and communities and regeneration.

Its new website offers a wide range of information for and about ethnic minority businesses, useful business tips, contacts, news about business opportunities in the UK and abroad, and much more.

ABi has credibility with both mainstream organisations and ethnic minority communities and is acknowledged for delivering quality of service to both its clients and beneficiaries.

Says Vijay Amin, ABi's director: "Information technology is a major priority area for ABi. The company has innovative programmes to assist ethnic minority business and communities to use cutting-edge technology to transform business and facilitate regeneration."

The revamped ABi website reports on the business initiatives of UK's ethnic minority enterprises. There is a "trading place", where businesses from both the UK and abroad can place information about their ventures and services and network with other business. The daily-changing news section includes information on current trade missions and how a business can participate.

The website is dynamic and interactive. Users can register, then login with a given name and password, search ABi extensive archives, submit news items and information about projects.

The site will be used extensively by ethnic minority business, individual users, government and local government decision makers, and community groups.

The site also includes information on ABi's extensive range of projects, promoting enterprise and business acumen, both in the UK and Europe. Among them are:

Fit to Supply - facilitating the participation of ethnic minority business in procurement contracts and regeneration opportunities.
Faith in Business Loan Fund - promoting entrepreneurship within the African and Caribbean and now Islamic communities by reaching them through the Black Majority Churches and Mosques.
E-start - enabling ethnic minority business to exploit the advantages of broadband technology.
Hallmark - promoting lifelong learning through basic and key skills provision for ethnic minority workers employed in West London's growing hospitality and leisure sectors.

Ruth Djang, who co-directs ABi with Vijay Amin, is a recognised authority on finance, outreach programme design, project management and evaluation. She is actively involved in the development of the company's website.

Says Ruth Djang: "We are planning a section in ABi's website specially to involve ethnic minority women entrepreneurs and highlight the role they already effectively play in the UK, which often goes unreported."

For further information, contact:
ABi Associates Ltd
telephone: 0208 426 3990
Vijay Amin: vijay@abi.co.uk
Ruth Djang: ruth@abi.co.uk