The Andrews Labor Government today appointed a Multicultural Business Ministerial Council to better support people from non-English speaking backgrounds in their small business ventures.
The Council’s role will be to actively promote Victoria as a culturally diverse business centre, provide a forum for strategic business networking and support Victoria’s trade agenda in emerging markets.
With more than half a million small businesses in Victoria, the Council will provide an essential link to government to ensure multicultural business communities are heard.
The Chair of the Council will be Ms Rohini Kappadath, Director of Cross-Border Business at Pitcher Partners and winner of the 2015 Telstra Business Women’s Award. Ms Kappadath has over 25 years experience working with businesses in Australia, South-East Asia, China, Japan, New Zealand and North America.
The Council is appointed for a two-year term and will meet quarterly and as required. New Council members include:
- Ms Rohini Kappadath, Chair – Director, Pitcher Partners
- Ms Cynthia Balogh – National Program Manager, Women in Global Business
- Ms Elleni Bereded-Samuel – Diversity Capability Manager, Australian Unity
- Mr Gianluca Bottallo – Secretary General, Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Australia Melbourne Inc
- Mr Ziad Ghobril – Director, Road Runner Electrics Pty Ltd
- Ms Fotini Kypraios – Senior Associate, Meerkin & Apel Lawyers
- Ms Marion Lau – Director, Management Consultant & Technology Services
- Ms Yvonne Lazarow – Owner, Impact Organisation
- Mr Huseyin Mustafa – General Manager, Local Business Banking, Commonwealth Bank
- Mr Emmanuel Spiteri – Chief Executive Officer, BusinessAide Pty Ltd
- Ms Julia Truong – Owner, JT. Production Management
- Mr Mike Yang – Founder, Australian-Hubei Chamber of Commerce
- Mr Mike Zafiropoulos – Board Chair, Channel 31
- Mr Faddy Zouky – Executive Director, Zouki Group
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis
“This council will be an important voice to the many thousands of business owners and operators from non-English speaking backgrounds across Victoria.”
“Victoria is the most culturally diverse state in the country and we need to ensure that all businesses have the support they need to grow, which will provide better prosperity and more job opportunities for local communities.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020