Networking important for immigrant business owners

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Created on Monday, 17 June 2013 15:28

Written by Editorial staff

Research conducted by a PhD graduate at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) has revealed that, while many Middle Eastern immigrants start SMEs upon entering Australia, they "often fall short of their true potential".

This is because they do not or are unable to make successful links with their local business communities - a fact that migration agents in Australia may be able to help them with.

Dr Widad Pitrus, who is originally from Iraq, compiled the research. She believes business-savvy Middle Easterners arriving on migration visas would benefit from taking part in mentoring and support programs targeted at the wider business community.

"Not only would this help them to achieve greater success in their businesses, it could also create more opportunities for capable business operators from the Middle East to provide
mentoring to others in the community – producing benefits on both sides," Dr Pitrus explained.

Her research reveals that personal networks are vital for immigrants when it comes to succeeding as a small business owner, and particularly those from Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq.

It also looked at the challenges facing immigrants who want to set up shop here and adapt to Australian life.

Dr Pitrus believes it is the responsibility of Australia's governments, business groups - and, of course, its migration agents - to recognise these challenges and help immigrant business owners to overcome them.