Asian Business Chamber extends virus support campaign

The Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) – along with the West Midlands Combined Authority and Birmingham City Council – has extended its campaign providing guidance.

The ABCC’s Business Support Campaign aims to help West Midlands-based business owners who don’t speak English as their first language, breaking down barriers to accessing support and guidance.

A second phase of the campaign, which will run for six weeks, has been launched providing more support and guidance on Covid-19-secure measures.

The campaign offers support in English, Bengali, Urdu and Punjabi.

The chamber, part of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, will also be undertaking an engagement campaign with local community organisations and Asian media outlets, ensuring it reaches even more of the Asian business community.

Alongside the new resources, the chamber will continue to operate its dedicated hotline, launched as part of the first phase of the campaign, which manages inquiries handled by a multilingual business adviser. Advice offered via the helpline is provided for free by ABCC committee members.

Anjum Khan, ABCC director, said: “The ABCC’s Business Support Campaign has been really critical in engaging more members of the Asian business community with guidance and advice that is crucial to their survival. The second phase of our campaign will provide even more dedicated resources, in a variety of languages, specifically targeted to help businesses be Covid-19-secure and help them better understand national and local guidelines.

“We are confident the second phase of this campaign will help further businesses throughout the region, alongside the WMCA and Birmingham City Council, by ensuring they have the knowledge and resources they need to remain open while doing all that they can to contain the spread of this virus.

“Any business that is looking for support should call the hotline for advice on 0121 274 3280,” Ms Khan added.