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BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022
Member News
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce launches important consultation for developing its South Asian Business Engagement Strategy Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is conducting a six-month consultation with its members and local stakeholders to foster stronger relations and business links with the region’s growing South Asian business community. As an influential and independent membership organisation, owned and managed by local businesses, the Chamber plays an important role in promoting business links and collaborations through its impactful programme of networking events, activities and portfolio of products and services. The purpose of formulating a refreshed strategy and action plan is to connect, engage and support the broad range of South Asian businesses and entrepreneurs operating in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight. From retail and pharmaceuticals to real estate and manufacturing businesses, the region has many successful businesses of all sizes, which are making a positive contribution to the Solent region. Led by Lakbir Singh and Peter Taylor, this timely consultation will comprise a series of meetings, roundtable discussions and electronic questionnaires with stakeholders to identify any barriers that may prevent these communities in fully engaging with other peer businesses and organisations. To address these challenges, we will be engaging with local businesses and will devise a well-informed action plan. The plan will be developed through analysis and wide-ranging consultations over the next six months, to ensure that we create value-added propositions and service offerings in collaboration with the community. The aims of the new strategy will be to: ¾ Enhance collaborative opportunities for South Asian businesses to engage better with other like-minded organisations within the region. ¾ Strengthen cross-community engagement with our local diverse communities and support Southampton’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025. ¾ Foster new partnerships between Hampshire Chamber members, non-members and other public sector organisations within the region, including research and knowledge-exchange collaborations with our local universities. ¾ Support businesses in key areas such as maintaining safer communities, deepening community cohesion, and addressing emerging security concerns. ¾ Utilise the Chamber’s programme of business activities and outreach work to make a positive difference and help create inclusive and sustainable development. The strategy will involve a mix of short, mid and long-term objectives and actions to ensure that we are fully supporting and engaging with South Asian businesses and communities in Hampshire in a way which is relevant, reliable and responsive to their needs and aspirations. It will evolve in close collaboration with the communities we support and will be delivered in conjunction with our key partners and supporters. HAMP SHIRE CHA M B ER OF C O M M ERC E
While this strategy focuses on South Asian Businesses communities, we believe our action plan will impact the entire region, and all who are involved in it. Lakbir said: “I am delighted to be supporting strategic engagement and collaboration with the region’s thriving South Asian business community, to help foster dialogue for businesses and communities within the region. The purpose of formulating a refreshed strategy and action plan is to connect, engage and support the broad range of South Asian businesses and entrepreneurs operating in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight.” He added: “We know that working closely with key partners will play a vital part in making this consultation a success for unlocking new business, innovation and knowledge transfer opportunities.” For further information please contact: Lakbir Singh – Lakbir.singh@hampshirechamber.co.uk Peter Taylor, Senior Partner at Paris Smith LLP, Commercial Mediator, and President for Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. Lakbir Singh, Head of Group Operations at Planet Education/ UKESG and Head of Special Projects at the India Business Group (IBG), and Ambassador for Hampshire Chamber of Commerce South Asian Community Engagement.
