www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Website connects major projects to Indigenous businesses by Helen McGlashan
Queensland Indigenous
businesses are set to get a bigger slice of the major projects pie through the recently launched online business directory – Black Business Finder (www. bbf.org.au). Black Business Finder (BBF), launched by Minister for Education, Training and Employment the Hon. John-Paul Langbroek, is an online database of Indigenous businesses which will be used by major projects operators to source suppliers. Industry Capability Network (ICN) Queensland, a division of QMI Solutions, was commissioned by the Queensland Government to develop the BBF database and link to ICN’s listing of major projects Australia-wide - through an online tool called ICN Gateway (www.icn.org. au). The Queensland Government provided more than $200,000 for the development of BBF which already has 130 businesses registered. QMI Solutions CEO, David Harrison, said the BBF is a valuable resource for major project owners to source Indigenous businesses to provide goods and
The Queensland Minister for Education, Training and Employment Hon. John-Paul Langbroek, launches the Black Business Finder online Indigenous database with Indigenous business owners Dylan Sarra and Suzanne Thompson. Image supplied
services for major projects in Queensland. “The benefits of Black Business Finder are two-fold – it introduces efficiencies for project owners in terms of locating and engaging local Indigenous businesses; and it serves to strengthen Indigenous businesses through increasing their exposure to major project work. “The dedicated database increases opportunities for registered businesses to be a part of the rapidly expanding major projects program underway in Queensland through connecting Indigenous businesses to major projects,” Harrison said. According to Harrison, one way to encourage
the growth of Indigenous businesses is to better integrate businesses into private and government supply chains. “The Black Business Finder will increase the information available in the market about the existence and capability of Indigenous businesses,” said Harrison. Indigenous business owners should register with BBF to ensure they can capitalise on potential opportunities with the $247 billion worth of major projects across Australia and New Zealand listed on the ICN Gateway. Developing BBF to specifically link Indigenous businesses to project owners is good for
businesses and good for major projects, according to Harrison. “It will improve the competitiveness of Queensland businesses and ultimately build resilience into the Queensland economy,” said Harrison. Registering online involves a simple three step process which only takes a couple of minutes yet the rewards are immeasurable. For more information or to register your business or locate an Indigenous business visit http://www.bbf.org.au/ or call 07 3364 0670.
Page 1