THE Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) Business Start Up initiative is celebrating the achievements of its first year of operation across the region and the significant take-up of its services by the Asian community.

Business Start Up is a new initiative operated by A4e and delivered by a consortium of partners in the North West on behalf of the NWDA aimed at encouraging business start ups and advising fledgling businesses within underrepresented groups and areas in the North West.

Over the last twelve months, this initiative has borne 131 business start-ups led by Asian entrepreneurs who have realised their aspirations whilst making a significant contribution to the local economy.

To date, figures show that the consortium has helped over 3,000 new people with pre-start support across the North West region. In addition, more than 1,000 new businesses have started up with the Consortium’s help, exceeding all expectations.

A4e recently showed its support for Asian businesses by sponsoring the New Business Start Up category at the Tiger Awards, the prominent awards ceremony held by the Asian Business Foundation.

Project Director for A4e, Janet Houghton said: "At A4e we are delighted to hear of the success of Butterfly Snacks, winner of the New Business Start Up category and congratulate the company for achieving this accolade. It’s inspiring to see how we can help people to realise their dreams of running their own business.

"Business Start Up was founded with the aim of encouraging and supporting people with an idea to gain the necessary expertise to put that idea into practice. Now official figures show that one year on our consortium has supported more than 3,000 people realise their dreams. It is immensely satisfying to everyone involved. We owe it to the entrepreneurial passion in the North West."

For access to Business Start up or more information on business support in the North West region, call Business Link Northwest on 0845 00 66 888 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest.