Opening of Lancelin business enterprise centre

5/10/94

Information and support for new and growing small businesses received a further boost today with the opening of a new Business Enterprise Centre in Lancelin.

There are now 36 community-based centres across Western Australia providing free advice and information to small businesses and individuals who are interested in going into business.

The Lancelin BEC, servicing the shires of Gingin, Chittering and Dandaragan, was formally opened by Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan.

"The centre has actually been operating for three months and has helped 80 clients in that time," Mr Cowan said.

"The manager of the Lancelin BEC is Martin Radford, who has experience in this role through his former job of manager of the Midland Business Enterprise Centre.  Mr Radford is also a quality assurance internal auditor and will be able to help companies towards obtaining quality assurance certification.

"This new centre can put local businesses and individuals in touch with specialist advisers, assist with business planning, marketing, government assistance schemes, and provide trade information.

"Expertise in these areas is important given that the region adjoins two of the fastest growing local government areas in Australia.

"It has a growing population and is experiencing growth in tourism, horticulture and intensive farming."

New BECs operating in Welshpool, Subiaco and Malaga are scheduled for official openings in coming weeks.

Mr Cowan said the centres were the gateway through which small businesses could access services available through the Department of Commerce and Trade, the Small Business Development Corporation as well as to local business expertise.

"Small business is the fastest growing employment sector and it is an important role of government to ensure that it has access to all the support that is available," he said..

"WA's economy is underpinned by small business and BECs perform a valuable, locally based role in encouraging the establishment of new enterprises and expanding opportunities for existing."

The number of centres has expanded from 26 in the past year.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595

Martin Radford 096 551 068