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Asian-American group forms chamber of commerce
Virginia Business
October 2006
Richmond businessman Tinh duc Phan started the Asian-American
Business Assistance Center (AABAC) in Ashland two years
ago to help descendants from 37 Asian countries find
employment and start businesses in Virginia.
The organization quickly moved
beyond its original mission. It helped create economic
development opportunities,
performed strategic research and promoted Asian-American
businesses. “People started telling us: ‘Hey,
you guys are acting more like a chamber of commerce,’ ” says
Phan, who left Vietnam with the fall of Saigon in 1975. “And
they all recommended that we change our name.”
As a result, the center now operates
as the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce. Nonetheless,
Phan says, “We
will not forgo the AABAC name entirely because it’s
very well known in the community, and of course,
we are still acting as a business assistance center
for
anyone
who needs assistance.”
The organization, which is run
by volunteers, also provides workshops on business,
human resources,
finance, health-care,
safety and homeland security issues. Some of its
programs are unique to the needs of the Asian-American
business
community. Its “Business” and “Gateway” series,
for example, are designed to help Asian-American business
owners reconnect with their “old country” to
find market opportunities. “Business China” for
example, gave participants a chance to meet with China’s
first secretary for economic affairs, while “Gateway
India” provided an opportunity for local
businesses to network with import/export firms.
Although Phan focuses on helping
Asian-American businesses, he has reached out to other
minorities
and the larger
business community. The organization’s 23-member
adviser board includes representatives from Virginia’s
African-American and Hispanic communities as well as
corporations, universities and government agencies. Phan
also seeks guidance from the Greater Richmond Chamber
of Commerce. “We don’t want to reinvent the
wheel,” he says. “We need some knowledge,
and they are helping us with that.”
The Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce now has seven
offices throughout the state and 150 business members.
Phan expects a new outreach program to increase membership
significantly. He also hopes to have a salaried, full-time
director and administrative assistant in place within
two years.
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