Trade development for women’s enterprise in London and around the world was the focus of a major conference held at the University of East London (UEL) Docklands Campus on Friday 6 October.

Around 60 delegates, including High Commissioners and leading figures from the world of business, banking and finance, attended the event at the Knowledge Dock Centre.

A central theme was the vital role of remittances, money sent home by migrant workers to support their families and communities in their countries of origin. This money is now more important than foreign investment and aid in the economies of many developing countries.

Jacinth Henry-Martin. Deputy High Commissioner of St Kitts and Nevis, and Sabihuddin Ahmed, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, gave key speeches on the essential role of remittances in regional development.

 

Ms. Henry-Martin said: “Right now, remittances outstrip foreign investment and aid in terms of their impact on the economies of many developing countries. It’s important to remember that people who emigrate are usually looking to make a better life not only for themselves, but also for their families back home.”

The conference was organised by the Empower Project, run by UEL's Business School to provide outreach and business advice services to women from ethnic minority communities.

 

Professor Michael Thorne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London, welcomed delegates, saying: “It is wonderful to see so many entrepreneurs and successful business people gathered here at the new Knowledge Dock Centre, a symbol of our deep commitment to supporting new businesses and playing a fully active role in the social and economic regeneration of our region.”

 

Hannah Simcoe-Read, Director of the Empower Project and Senior Lecturer in the UEL Business School, chaired the conference’s morning session, which included speeches from Gita Patel, Managing Director of Stargate Capital, and Yvonne Thompson, President of the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners.

 

The afternoon session, chaired by Peter Fowler, former UK High Commissioner for Bangladesh, focussed on the key role played by remittances in the economic growth of developing nations.

 

Peter Williams, Director of Victoria Mutual Bank, and Abul Kalam Azad, Deputy General Manager of the Bangladesh Bank, presented the latest developments in the field of remittances, banking and micro-finance.

 

With funding from the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, the Empower Project has helped to create and sustain over 30 women-owned businesses, co-operatives and social enterprises across London.

 

Alpa Saujani, Managing Director of Tantric Club, a members club for single Asian Professionals, said: “Having only recently joined Empower, I’ve been amazed at how quickly I’ve been able to tap into their networks, resources and interesting events like today."

 

For further information about the Empower Project, contact Rugina Monnan on 020 8223 2289 or r.monnan@uel.ac.uk.

 

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Contact: Patrick Wilson 020 8223 2061 / 07951 797 975

The University of East London (UEL) is now a global learning community, with 20,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of our diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.  www.uel.ac.uk