Lobbying
How we make a difference
The Asian Business community makes a enormous contribution to UK plc, providing the backbone of UK enterprise with a share of over 11% of new business start-ups.
The British Asian community generates around 10% of the country's GDP despite making up only 4% of the population, according to research published by the CBI.
As with all businesses Asian Businesses are subject to influences over which they have no control but along with these most Asian businesses are faced with a number of other issues that affect there ability to grow and run their business. For example,
- Concentration of businesses in small number of niche markets
- Limited penetration of markets outside their communities and business networks
- Under capitalisation and inability to attract investment capital and loans
- Lack of conventional business skills and take-up of mainstream business support
- Introverted approach, working with ethnic minority suppliers and customers and not breaking out into wider mainstream markets
It's our objective to make certain that your voice is heard when government is formulating policy or consulting the business community. No other Asian Business organization enjoys the far-reaching network of contacts with the Business Champions, Ministers, MP's, policy makers, media and other business lobby groups.
Representation
The ABF through various interactions with members who are best able to express their views from a position of experience and authoritative knowledge of their own business and the sector in which they operate.
The ABF through its many representations on Advisory boards, Forums, Committee's, Councils and contacts with Ministers, MP's, Civil Servants and policy makers ensures that your voice is heard when determining policy that could affect business and the Asian community.
In most cases the ABF is asked to respond on many government papers in relation to Enterprise, Skills, Business Support, ICT, and Public Procurement. We pro-actively lead responses ensuring that the views of Asian business is accurately represented.
Through our regular interactions with our members we are able to gather intelligence on trends, skills gaps, and demographic movements this allows us to work pro-actively with our partners to appropriately address potential concerns.
The ABF has a special interest in the growth of enterprise in disadvantaged communities, young people, and women.
