Press Release - 21 April 2006

QED's Chief Executive responds to Yorkshire Post comments on the Asian Rich List

Dear Sir or Madam

Bernard Dineen's comments about successful East African-Asian business people featured in the Asian Rich List, and high levels of Bangladeshi and Pakistani unemployment is flawed as it does not compare like-for-like. (The new arrivals who brought prosperity, Comment, Monday 24 April 2006)

The successful East Africans to which he refers came from industrialised urban centres in countries such as Uganda and Kenya.

These middle and upper-class people arrived in Britain from countries where they were already successful business people or held professional jobs requiring the ability to speak English. They need to be commended for working hard to transfer and adapt these skills.

Conversely, the UK's Bangladeshi and Pakistani population predominantly come from rural areas with a largely manual skills-base. Upon arrival in Britain, these communities undertake the dirty, dangerous and difficult jobs which others are not prepared to do. In doing so they also make an enormous contribution to regional economies, including Yorkshire.

With support from charities such as QED-UK, thousands of people in Yorkshire and the UK are now acquiring language and other skills needed by the UK industry. A lot has been achieved since QED-UK began operating in 1990, but there is still a great deal of work to do.

The Asian Rich List is a vital tool for inspiring young Bangladeshis and Pakistanis to become the business leaders of the future. Mr Dineen's negative views are at the very least disappointing, and at worst will discourage further Asian entrepreneurship and economic development.

Yours faithfully

Dr Mohammed Ali OBE
Chief executive QED-UK

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.