U.S. Small Business Admin to aid Asian Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Leaders of the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (ACE) signed a memorandum of understanding last week with U.S. Small Business Administration Deputy Administrator Marie C. Johns to provide Asian/Pacific Islander-owned small businesses with information and tools to aid their enterprises.

SBA offers a wide array of programs and services designed with small business owners and entrepreneurs in mind, including workshops, trainings and symposia covering business lending, marketing, health insurance, innovation, export-import, and more.

The MOU signing at The White House Eisenhower Executive Office Building capped a roundtable discussion with more than 50 AAPI business leaders and entrepreneurs on a wide array of topics, from access to capital and international trade, to immigration reform and the provisions contained in the Affordable Care Act.

“Our organization stands ready to work with the SBA on creating programs that will fuel innovation, entrepreneurship, business development and job creation within the greater Asian American and Pacific Islander communities,” said ACE Chairman Bill Imada.

Johns stated that signing an agreement with the SBA is important to broadening its reach in the diverse Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

In addition, SBA leaders emphasized the need for public-private solutions to today’s business challenges.

ACE is a national organization serving the needs, interests and aspirations of business owners, entrepreneurs and corporate leaders of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage.  ACE is based in Washington, D.C. and was founded in March 2013.

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