Brains and bravado will be recognised at a business awards ceremony highlighting excellence in the Asian community.

Entrepreneurs and companies in Bradford head the guest list at this Friday's Asian Business Development Network (ABDN) awards.

The event is part of a Business Advice Open Day staged by HM Customs and Excise and the ABDN, and launched by MP Keith Vaz at the Royal Armouries in Leeds. Exhibitors will range from leading businesses to advice groups, and seminar topics will include e-business and health and safety.

ABDN chairman Arshad Chaudry said: "This is the first time we have been involved in such an important partnership. The event will offer a range of services and advice to our members and other ethnic minority businesses based in West Yorkshire."

Richard Allen, head of human resource at Customs and Excise, said: "We need to work closely with the business community to ensure the right amount of taxes are paid while reducing to a minimum the burdens which we impose. Asian businesses are a growing and increasingly successful part of the economy, and we acknowledge that we need to improve the effectiveness of our communication with this community."

Four firms from Bradford are up for awards at the conference - Yorkshire Cottage Bakeries and textile firm Maharaja are in the Business of the Year category, IDS Europe, an IT company which produces computers, is in the running for Entrepreneur of the Year, Usha Parmar at Sunrise Radio is up for Businesswoman of the Year. Other nominated Bradford companies include Anzeck Plastics, Autoelectro, Kozee Sleep, Bombay Stores, Haq's and Empire Stores.