Business migrants rapidly bring economic benefits to the state, a survey for Business SA has found.

The survey of participants in the Migration for Business Growth program confirmed the contributions being made to the state, Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan said. "Results from the survey indicate that 97% of business migrants have their own business, including 70 per cent who have established a new business," he said.

"Migrants contribute to the economy through exports, investment, creation of employment and other business-development activities."

The Migration for Business Growth program is run by Business SA, and aims to connect migrants with the business sector via initiatives such as business matching, networking and cross-cultural business issues.

An independent consultant was commissioned to evaluate the program, and in early April surveyed participants about how it was working and what additional features would be helpful.

Among participants were Jing Gao, her husband Lei Mu and son Yanhua Mu, 11, who moved to Adelaide from China two years ago to establish wine export and real estate businesses. The family first thought about moving to Adelaide after speaking with relatives and friends studying at SA universities. She said Business SA's program had helped the family develop local contacts.

"We are not familiar with the local business environment," Jing Gao said. "Whenever we had problems, this program has helped us with information.

While nearly all participants were happy with the program, they called for more networking events. The migrants wanted to meet more SA business operators with opportunities, and to hear the stories of fellow migrants who had successfully established a business and gained permanent residence.

The survey's finding come as the Federal Government announced last week that the intake of migrants would be increased to 300,000 a year, 70 per cent of whom would be skilled migrants.

Mr Vaughan said skilled migrants were essential to ensuring SA's ongoing prosperity.

"We need to address our population crisis by attracting more people to this state. Business migrants are making an important contribution," he said.

Adelaide Advertiser

20/05/08

Page 33 - Business Journal

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