Welcome to GEMBA
FOREWORD
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Gloucestershire Ethnic Minority Business Association web site and business directory.
In looking to move ethnic minority businesses into the mainstream it is necessary to understand the needs of small businesses in general and ethnic minority businesses in particular.
No community or business sector can operate in isolation, to progress and grow we need to work in partnership and for any partnership to be effective the changes that are required needs to take place on all sides
The contribution that ethnic minority businesses make to the economy is recognised in most quarters, but the access to capital and the larger market place still present an obstacle to growth. A recent survey shows that only 3% of all ethnic minority businesses are financed through banks, compared with 24% of white businesses.
The Government at present is supporting programmes of social inclusion and capacity building. They are hoping that where racism exist these attitudes will be challenged and a more open and even access to opportunity will exist. We need to be reminded however that attitudes cannot be changed by legislation alone.
It is hoped that the web site and directory will provide trading opportunities and communication links between the ethnic minority business sector, the wider business community, local authorities, local industry and public sector organisations.
And mainly that Gloucestershire will recognise and benefit from the diversity that ethnic minority businesses contribute to the county.
Howard Francis FFA
Manager
Gloucestershire Ethnic Minority Business Association Limited (GEMBA)
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