The new Chair and members of the Multicultural Business Ministerial Council have been appointed.
The role of the council is to:
- provide advice to the Victorian Government on key issues that affect multicultural businesses
- advocate for Victoria’s multicultural businesses
- provide a voice for small businesses across the state.
Ms Bihong Wang is the new council Chair. Ms Wang is the President of the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse. She is also on the Premier’s Business Council.
Dr Angraj (Raj) Khillan MBBS, MD, MIAP, FRCPCH (UK), FRACP is the new Deputy Chair for the council. Dr Khillan is the 2023 Victoria Australian of the Year. He is the Director and Consultant Paediatrician at the Western Specialist Centre. He is also the Founder and former Co-Chair of the Australia India Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The council members have a mix of skills and multicultural business experience.
The members are:
- Dr Angeline Achariya, CEO of Innovation GameChangers and CEO of Monash Food Innovation Centre
- Ms Lynda Cavalera GAICD FAMI CPM, General Manager, Growth at Teach for Australia
- Mr Nicholas Kalogeropoulos, Director/COO of Global Hospitality Group and Director/Founding Partner of Calibre Feasts
- Mr Hy (Andy) Tran, Head of Business Development, Interscale, and Co-Vice President of Vietnamese Australian Professional Network
Victoria is home to over 718,000 small businesses. 56% of Victorian small business owners have at least one parent born overseas.
Multicultural businesses play a crucial role in our community. They create employment opportunities and strengthen cultural diversity and inclusion across Victoria.
The Victorian Government offers a range of small business support. This includes the Small Business Bus, Small Business Mentoring Service and workshops.
Source: The Victorian Government.
