Aboriginal Business Industry Chamber SA launched to empower Indigenous businesses

A group of prominent Indigenous business leaders has come together to create a new industry group aimed at empowering Aboriginal businesses across SA.

Aboriginal Business Industry Chamber of South Australia (ABICSA) chair Parry Agius. Picture: Supplied by ABICSA

Empowering Aboriginal businesses across South Australia to be self-sufficient and sustainable wealth creators is the driving force behind the launch of a new independent industry body established by a group of prominent Indigenous business leaders.

The Aboriginal Business Industry Chamber South Australia (ABICSA) aims to become the peak industry body for Aboriginal businesses intent on self-management and self-determination, and has ambitions to attract 10,000 members within its first five years.

Co-founder and chair Parry Agius said that by bringing together members in tandem with major sponsors, it would allow ABICSA to forge meaningful trade and commercial partnerships across Australia.

“SA is the only state in Australia that doesn’t have such a chamber (private or government). There is a need for it now,” he said.

“We want to show SA that Aboriginal people who have been given opportunities can achieve and get results.

“We are dedicated to fostering strong partnerships between Aboriginal businesses, government and industry to create economic opportunities that drive sustainable growth.”

Mr Agius – last year’s SA NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year who consults to corporate and government clients through his Indigenous services company Linking Futures – is joined on the ABICSA board by consultant Dana Shen and construction manager Ian Sandell.

As an independent and autonomous organisation, ABICSA will raise its own funds to support a range of advocacy, capacity building and strategic collaboration initiatives designed to help Aboriginal entrepreneurs access government procurement, industry networks and business development programs.

Networking, mentorship and guidance, workshops and training will be on offer to members across five membership categories covering Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals, businesses and industry groups.

Ms Shen’s firm DS Consultancy provides a range of services ranging from stakeholder engagement to strategic planning, mentoring and training, with the aim of improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities.

She said ABICSA would become an important platform for Indigenous businesses across the state.

“I believe in supporting our people to flourish in ways where they have true agency and choice,” she said.

“As a successful small business owner, I’ve had great opportunities and I hope I can support others to have the same.”

Mr Agius said an industry group dedicated to supporting Aboriginal businesses across South Australia had been in the pipeline for several years, and ABICSA was now looking to connect with individuals and businesses interested in supporting the state’s diverse Aboriginal business community.

“It’s about collaboration, a collective, everybody gets a piece of the pie. Aboriginal people know we are building a network, and we are not going alone. It is a collective of everybody’s interests.”

Originally published as Aboriginal Business Industry Chamber SA launched to empower Indigenous businesses