Press Release - 18 April 2006

Charity welcomes publication of Asian Rich List as role models for disadvantaged communities

An economic development charity is welcoming today's publication of The Asian Rich List as it believes the list offers a excellent role models for disadvantaged communities.

Bradford-based Quest for Economic Development (QED) UK has long campaigned for economic progress and development among the UK's ethnic minority population, in particular its Asian communities.

Since it was founded in 1990, QED-UK, has worked with Asian communities to encourage individuals to diversify away from traditional industries such as taxi driving, independent retailing and owning restaurants or working in take-aways.

The charity believes that the Asian Rich List 2006 will act as a catalyst for aspiring Asian business men and women to venture into non-traditional employment.

This is reinforced by the fact that two out of the four new entrants to the list operate in the lucrative online gaming industry.

Third placed Anurag Dikshit and seventh placed Vikrant Bhargava are worth £1.7bn and £592m respectively.

Chief executive of QED-UK, Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, says: "Today's findings send a clear message to unemployed or economically inactive Asians across the UK. In the 21st Century it is no longer inevitable that your future lies sitting behind the wheel of a taxi or standing behind a shop counter. There are huge opportunities available to members of the UK's Asian communities. The Asian Rich List is clear evidence that Asian businessmen and women can succeed in the UK. We now want more people to follow in their footsteps."

QED-UK is currently working with the Department for Trade and Industry as part of a national forum to promote the development of ethnic minority businesses. The forum is chaired by QED's deputy chief executive, Adeeba Malik MBE.

For further press information contact or Simon Collister or Scilla Baldwin at Cicada Public Relations Limited on 01423 567111. Alternatively, email simon@cicada-pr.com or scilla@cicada-pr.com.