You have key role in region, Asians are told

Yorkshire Forward - the regional development agency - is canvassing the views of people from ethnic backgrounds in the district as part of its wide-ranging consultation programme.

And Bradford organisation Quest for Economic Develop-ment is at the forefront of the consultation with its general manager, Adeeba Malik, playing a crucial role.

She is a board member of Yorkshire Forward and will address the 120 people expected to turn up at the city's Midland Hotel next Friday - one of three regional events.

Some 500 representatives from business and the community have been invited to the events with the other two being in Brigg, North Lincolnshire, and Sheffield.

She said: "The purpose of these events is to consult with the region's minority ethnic communities on the new draft Regional Economic Strategy. We have to ensure that we undertake the widest possible consultation and that the final document reflects all of the region's communities.

"We think Yorkshire Forward is alone among the regional development agencies in organising such events. I hope as many people as possible will attend," he added.

Yorkshire Forward is consulting with a wide range of people across the region and plans to present its final strategy to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in October.

Mohammed Ali, chief executive of QED, added: "Economic development means we have to take account of all sections of the community and that means people from the minority ethnic communities should be consulted."

Harjap Pooni, chairman of the Yorkshire Seikh Forum, who has been invited to the Bradford event, said: "We are not really fully aware of the opportunity available within the region so it will give us a chance to see more of what is happening and learn how the ethnic community can play a role in the region."

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