Now small ethnic businesses from different cultures and ethnicities can accelerate themselves by getting an expert advice from successful businesses in New Zealand. Multicultural New Zealand has made this possible by launching New Zealand Multicultural Business Advisory Board. This advisory board commits to help Small and Medium Ethnic Enterprises (SMEEs) grow, who are experiencing struggle in settling their businesses.

This Board can be considered as an important step in the consolidation and promotion of SMEE’S owned and operated by ethnic communities. I simple words, the board will provide help on financial issues such as how to approach banks for financial support, how to make banks become part of their business. Also it will advise businesses to build relationships in the industry.

Chairperson of Multicultural New Zealand, Wenceslaus Anthony said that many expert organisations have come forward to offer informative help to small businesses. Being a director in one of the prominent banks in New Zealand he feels that it is their responsibility to guide people who are working towards the growth of their businesses.

“Wearing the camp of borrower and lender as a Director in the Bank- I know what it means to be the custodian of the funds. SMEE’S have to have strong financial discipline and make your banker
involved in understanding your business.

“Our primary challenge is to put in place strategic plans, processes and systems as the strong foundation for engagement. The saying that the Banks provide umbrella when the sun shines brightly but take it away when it rains, has to be proved wrong. Banks are partners and take part in the risk of the SMEE’S investment,” he said.

Welcoming Trade Minister Tim Groser to the launch event, Wenceslaus said, “As the word
Multicultural means different nations/ different cultures - it is therefore appropriate that our Trade Minister Hon.Tim Groser inaugurates the launch as he visits many countries and understand the culture of those countries with reference to Trade and Business.”The board is made up of six members Peter, Maria, Kane, Gaz, Tayo, Taz and Wenceslaus; with a range of cultural heritage, including: Vietnamese, European, Nigerian, Sri Lankan, Indian and Polynesian.

This Board is committed to the challenging task of defining itself, setting targets and moving towards them and most important of all, connecting with SMEE’S. “I believe that we have determined our aims and objectives, among which is the need to encourage cultural diversity among New Zealand businesses, support the engagement of SMEE’S in Local and Central Governments and foster the Board to be a strong and of?cial advocate for ethnic enterprises,” said Wenceslaus.

This Board has been established at the initiative of Tayo, the Executive Director and the support of the Immediate Past President Priyani and the Current Executive Team with Alexis as the President, which is an important step in the consolidation and promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEE’S) owned and operated by ethnic communities.

“This was a calling from above which I could not resist. I was pleased to accept the position of Chair with very committed and talented board members to contribute our time, resources and talent to be of service to this Nation and people of all ethnicities. This is an exciting opportunity to build from inception and to work throughout New Zealand with different ethnicities to help small and medium businesses grow,” said Wenceslaus.

The Board members will work through in the areas of government relations, financial Institution relations, events, business mentoring, membership and relationship with various business associations. The board intend partnering with the Banks and organizing an interaction system as what the Banks expect of SMEE’S and strengthening the relationship.

New Zealand is a country of small and medium sized businesses (“SMEE’S”). Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment statistics indicate that SMEE’S with up to 20 employees account for 97% of all NZ businesses, employ 30% of all employees, and contribute 27.8% of New Zealand’s GDP. A vibrant and high performing SMEE sector is therefore critical to the prosperity of New Zealand.

This Multi Culture Advisory board is faced with challenges and opportunities. The outcome could be positive or negative. However, if it sets the right process and systems in place the Board with its commitment would have positive outcomes. But this is possible only with the collaboration of all the stakeholders and the commitment and will of the SMME’S to succeed
with integrity and sacrifice.

Anyone who needs advice for their businesses, can contact Tayo Agunlejika, Executive Director Phone: (04) 916 9177 Mobile (021) 250 9786 Email: ed@nzfmc.org.nz Web:www.nzfmc.org.nz