Economy Minister Conor Murphy said his department would work to develop solutions that unlock the potential that exists within every entrepreneur.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy poses for a photo with Dr Laura Bradley, Inclusive Entrepreneurship Researcher at Ulster University Business School, and Professor Monder Lamb OBE, Director of the Center for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME).
The Minister was speaking at the ‘Time for Change’ event at the Long Gallery in Stormont.that event The aim is for policy makers and community and business representatives to share progress to date on the ‘Time for Change’ report, discuss key recommendations and explore how people can engage with ethnic minority businesses. The idea was to be able to consider whether it could be done. Addressing the unique barriers faced by ethnic minority entrepreneurs.
The minister said: “We want to refocus economic policy to better support domestic start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises that want to grow. Barriers for ethnic minority people and immigrants include discrimination, lack of access to capital and networks, lack of confidence and language barriers. .
“Given the opportunities for business growth created by the Windsor Framework, it is important that we remove these obstacles. Access to dual markets gives us a unique foundation from which to build exports. It is important that all entrepreneurs can take advantage of this position.”
Note to editors:
- The ‘Time for Change’ report: A blueprint for taking Britain’s ethnic minority businesses forward was commissioned by NatWest Group and produced by the Center for Research in Minority Ethnic Entrepreneurship (CREME). It presents an analysis of the perceived and actual barriers experienced by ethnic minority entrepreneurs and suggests 10 recommendations.
- The event was co-hosted by Steve Pollard and Dr Laura Bradley from Ulster University Business School, and guest speakers included John Ferris, Regional Ecosystems Manager at Ulster Bank, and National Director of Decentralization at British Business Bank. Susan Nightingale and CEO Michael McQuillan. Enterprise NI’s Dr Lorna Treanor, Director of the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Professor Monder Lamb OBE, Director of the Center for Research in Minority Ethnic Entrepreneurship (CREME).
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