KEY speakers including Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw got a newly formed business group aimed at East Lancashire's Asian business community off to a flying start.
The Asian Business Federation, which aims to give Asian-run businesses a voice and boost the local economy, was officially launched during a glittering ceremony at Ewood Park, Blackburn, last night.
As well as Mr Straw, other speakers included Stephen Norris, vice-chairman of the Conservative Party, Richard Allen, of the Liberal Democrats, Lord Adam Patel of Blackburn, Lord Terry Thomas, chairman of the North West Development Agency, and one of the country's most successful Asian businessmen Tahir Mohsan, managing director of Simonstone-based TIME Group, who is the Federation's chairman.
Mr Straw told the audience of more than 300 business and community leaders from across the North West: "The Government shares many of the Asian Business Federation's goals. We want to encourage successful, thriving small and medium-sized business and we want to help minority ethnic entrepreneurs prosper and make the greatest contribution they can to our society. We believe that the only way to build a Britain where there is opportunity and security for all is from a platform of economic stability."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article