London, 19 September- The British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) held a significant meeting on Friday, 13th September with The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, at Hyde Town Hall, Cheshire.
The event, organised by Mizanur Rahman Mizan, President of the BBCCI Northwest Region, was chaired by Abdul Malik-Ahad, General Secretary of the BBCCI Northwest Region. The meeting focused on exploring solutions to the challenges faced by British Bangladeshi businesses and fostering collaboration with the UK government.
The meeting began with Jonathan Reynolds MP welcoming all attendees to the discussion. He expressed his commitment to meeting with local constituents and regional business leaders, despite his busy schedule. “I am always happy to meet with local businesses and hear firsthand about the challenges and opportunities they face,” said the Minister.
The Minister also took the opportunity to highlight the key priorities of the new government relating to business and trade, which include the Small Business Plan, Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy, and Employment Rights. He stressed the importance of creating the right frameworks and a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. While acknowledging the challenges, such as the availability of funds and the long-term impacts of the pandemic, he lauded organisations like BBCCI for their vital work. The Minister noted, “I admire the work being undertaken by BBCCI members in addition to running their own businesses. Such organisations are crucial in helping drive the local economy and community forward.”
Mizanur Rahman Mizan, President of BBCCI Northwest Region, and BBCCI Director, officially welcomed the Minister and attendees. He provided an overview of the Chamber’s work, emphasising its pivotal role in fostering trade relations between the UK and Bangladesh and supporting over 500 businesses across various sectors.
Zaki Mostufa, Press and Publicity Secretary of BBCCI, outlined the challenges faced by British Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, including high levels of unemployment, particularly among young people, barriers to accessing finance, and the structural and regulatory hurdles minority-owned businesses encounter.
Abdul Malik-Ahad, General Secretary, led the discussion on potential solutions. Key proposals included job creation, enhanced mentorship programmes for entrepreneurs, and the need for stronger ties between BBCCI, regional chambers, and the government to improve access to funding and infrastructure support.
Lavlu Kader, Assistant Secretary, presented BBCCI’s alignment with the government’s key priorities, including the promotion of innovation, driving regional economic growth, and supporting the green economy. Lavlu emphasised BBCCI’s commitment to helping businesses adopt innovative practices and contribute to regional growth efforts.
The Minister actively engaged with attendees, taking questions from BBCCI members and welcoming the opportunity to explore solutions and collaborative efforts. He acknowledged the challenges raised, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring the right frameworks and policies are in place to address barriers to business, trade, and employment. The Minister also discussed issues specific to small businesses, such as the impact of high utility costs, regulatory complexities, and taxation. He emphasised that regional business and trade support bodies, as well as local chambers, could play a crucial role in addressing the financial, knowledge, and training needs of British Bangladeshi entrepreneurs.
Muzahid Khan DL, former General Secretary of BBCCI, outlined ideas for advancing the Chamber’s work. He proposed forming working groups and leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive innovation. He also suggested developing social enterprises for sustainable business models and emphasised the need to support women entrepreneurs within the British Bangladeshi community.
In his closing remarks, Jonathan Reynolds MP commended BBCCI for its proactive approach and for serving as business role models within the community. He pledged the government’s support in addressing the challenges discussed during the meeting. “It is vital that we continue these conversations and ensure we provide the right support to our local businesses. Together, we can create the conditions for growth and innovation,” the Minister stated.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with organisations like BBCCI to tackle barriers to growth and ensure that British Bangladeshi businesses can thrive in today’s economic environment. He emphasised the government’s role in fostering a supportive business environment and expressed optimism for future collaborations.
The BBCCI, with support from the Minister’s office, will continue the dialogue and develop collaborative strategies with relevant government agencies, as well as local and regional trade bodies and chambers. These efforts will focus on improving access to knowledge and finance, expanding mentorship and training programmes, and integrating emerging technologies to drive business growth within the British Bangladeshi community.
