Study focuses on ethnic-minority entrepreneurs in Europe

Citation

(2003), "Study focuses on ethnic-minority entrepreneurs in Europe", Career Development International, Vol. 8 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/cdi.2003.13708gab.005

Study focuses on ethnic-minority entrepreneurs in Europe

Study focuses on ethnic-minority entrepreneurs in Europe

The ability of ethnic-minority entrepreneurs to spur economic growth, raise living standards and relieve poverty across Europe was discussed at a recent conference in Brussels, Belgium.

Attended by the European commissioner responsible for enterprise, Erkki Liikanen, the main aim was to generate support for a pan-European study of ethnic-minority entrepreneurship, and begin building networks of national officials and private practitioners to promote it.

Access to finance and support services, and strategies for breaking out of political isolation and local, low-income markets, will now be reviewed by ethnic-minority entrepreneurs, their representative bodies and officials from national, regional, European and international organizations.

Erkki Liikanen said: "Immigration is both a pan-European challenge and a huge opportunity. Ethnic-minority businesses have already shown their great capacity and potential for entrepreneurship. Building on their drive and combining it with easier access to support services and finance will boost enterprise, competitivenessand social inclusiveness across Europe. Let us therefore try to identify concrete actions that will help usto develop this potential into real economic value."