The Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative (ABAI) staff at Illawarra ITeC recently attended the Illawarra Aboriginal Business Expo coordinated by Wollongong City Council and held at Wollongong Art Gallery on Thursday 12thOctober. The Business Expo was a resounding success with more than 30x Illawarra and Shoalhaven Aboriginal businesses who offer a unique selection of products and services.
Uncle Richard Davis gave an inspiring Welcome to Country at the beginning of the event, and there were hundreds in attendance showing a great support for Aboriginal businesses in the regions. ITeC were proud to be supporting the event, particularly in NSW Small Business Month.
The ITeC ABAI Program assists Aboriginal businesses in the regions with business development and support and referrals to financial assistance, capacity building, networking and partnerships and access to business to markets, promoting business to business sales. Support for Aboriginal businesses aims to address historical economic disparities, create self-sufficiency, and foster economic independence within Indigenous communities. It is often a combination of these approaches that can have the most significant impact on Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic well-being. Collaboration between governments, Indigenous communities, and the private sector is essential to ensure the success of such initiatives.
