NEW CEDAR REVIEW REVEALS £2BN ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF REFUGEE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Refugee entrepreneurs could boost the UK economy by an estimated £2 billion1 if barriers to entrepreneurship were tackled and more tailored support was available to this demographic, according to new findings from The Cedar Review, published today.

Following nine months of dedicated research, the Cedar Review – an independent review into refugee entrepreneurship in the UK led by Small Business Britain – examines the barriers currently preventing refugee entrepreneurs from starting and growing a business in the UK and the economic opportunity that could be unlocked through greater support. It sets out eight recommendations to help remove these barriers and enable more refugee-founded businesses to contribute to the UK economy.

Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO & Founder of Small Business Britain and co-chair of the Cedar Review, said: “Too often, discussion around refugees focus on need, support and integration. While these are undoubtedly important, they tell only part of the story. Refugees are also entrepreneurs, employers, innovators and creators of opportunity. The Cedar Review underlines the drive and potential refugee entrepreneurs have but the evidence presented questions whether our systems are designed to recognise that.

At Small Business Britain, we are dedicated to bringing down barriers to entry for all entrepreneurs and the Cedar Review is a clear representation of how we can get more entrepreneurial talent and ambition contributing to the UK economy.”

Anil Qasemi, Founder of Hatopia and co-chair of the Cedar Review, said: “Just over four years ago, I arrived in the UK from Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul, and today I run a small business that sells to customers in more than 30 countries. When I first started building hatopia alongside my day job, I had no idea where to begin and my confidence was low, but I knew I had a business concept worth pursuing,

“Someone took a chance on me, and through mentorship and accessing an interest-free loan, my business began to grow. The Cedar Review shows what refugee entrepreneurs can achieve when they are given the opportunity and supported by systems that work for them, not against them. I’m excited to see what positive change we can achieve as the work of the Cedar Review continues.”