As another cohort graduates from the Business Immigrant Mentorship Program (BIMP), the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce points to local supporters for its success while newcomers hope to see inclusion happen throughout society.
Launched in 2009, BIMP helps immigrants looking to start a business in Canada through training as well as providing contacts in the industry.
“We saw a great need,” explained Krista Ross, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce CEO. “Newcomers were coming here looking to start businesses, but they really didn’t have a good feel for the business climate, the regulatory environment and just for the business culture.”
READ MORE: Joint funding to connect immigrant entrepreneurs with business opportunities
“Every place you go things are done a little bit differently and Fredericton or New Brunswick or even Canada is no exception.”
After eight years of the program, Ross said more and more industry professionals have stepped up to offer their assistance to newcomers, including prior graduates.
“We’ve helped them, but they’re also helping each other,” she said.
“I chose to come here to Canada and I fell in love with Fredericton,” said Hamdi Fannoush, who was part of the most recent graduating class. “I love it so much.”
Before moving to Canada, Fannoush served as a judge in Libya and as that country’s ambassador to Cameroon.
Now in Canada for two years and starting a logistics business, he said he’s learned how to be successful in business in his new home through the training he has been provided.
“When you come to a new country you want to learn everything about the country before you start a business,” he said. “And you will face maybe a bit of paperwork and a bit of unknown hidden things in the laws or tax system.”
Fannoush indicates that most Canadians are very friendly and willing to help, but often immigrants can feel isolated when they arrive.
His classmate Shahram Ghanbari left Iran more than two years ago and has found difficulty in starting his oil and gas business despite having years of experience in the field.
“When you go to the banks they do not give you credit because you do not have any income in Canada,” he explained. “They do not accept your outside of Canada income.”
Ghanbari said he does feel the program was very helpful to help him decipher the differences between the business world here and overseas, but would like to see government do more to help newcomers like himself get started.
“In the business category we are called entrepreneurs and we want to start a business therefore we need a lot of things in place,” Ghanbari explained. “In terms of rules and regulations, it is alright until it comes to the financial side.”
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