The Victorian Government has announced the new members of the Multicultural Business Ministerial Council, a group designed to ensure the voices of migrant-run small businesses are formally represented in the state’s economic conversation.
The announcement was made by Minister for Small Business and Employment Natalie Suleyman, who said the council would help shape the state’s approach to policy and services impacting culturally diverse enterprises. With more than a third of Victoria’s 718,000 small businesses owned by migrants, the council is expected to play a key role in identifying emerging issues and informing responsive strategies.
Bihong Wang has been named Chair of the council. She currently serves as President of the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse and sits on the Premier’s Business Council. Her experience in leading business advocacy in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs has seen her champion better access to local government programs for migrant entrepreneurs.
Appointed as Deputy Chair is Dr Angraj (Raj) Khillan, a paediatrician and widely respected community leader, who was Victoria’s Australian of the Year in 2023. Dr Khillan is best known for co-founding the Australia India Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has long advocated for stronger business ties between migrant communities and mainstream networks.
The other appointees include Dr Angeline Achariya, CEO of both Innovation GameChangers and Monash Food Innovation Centre, who brings expertise in the food innovation and commercialisation space; Ms Lynda Cavalera, General Manager of Growth at Teach For Australia, with a background in education and community engagement; Mr Nicholas Kalogeropoulos, a hospitality entrepreneur with interests across the state; and Mr Hy (Andy) Tran, who combines his role at Interscale with his leadership at the Vietnamese Australian Professional Network.
The composition of the council reflects the diversity of Victoria’s business community, where many owners come from migrant backgrounds and operate across industries from food production to tech development, professional services to education.
The council will meet regularly to offer advice and help the Government anticipate challenges faced by migrant-owned small businesses—whether navigating post-pandemic recovery, dealing with cost pressures or accessing grants and support.
The move comes amid growing calls for more direct engagement between government and multicultural entrepreneurs, particularly those who face language barriers, lack established networks, or find mainstream procurement channels difficult to access. While programs such as the Small Business Bus, mentoring services, and free workshops have seen steady uptake, leaders in the sector have flagged the need for more targeted support and better communication.
Minister Suleyman said the new council would “make sure all voices and concerns are heard,” adding that Victoria’s diversity was a strength that needed to be better reflected in how policy is shaped.
For many community advocates, the appointments signal a chance to influence policy from the inside. Several members have previously served in advisory roles or represented business associations that bridge cultural and economic divides.
The Government says it will continue to invest in outreach and business services aimed at migrant and multicultural businesses. Information on available support programs is available at business.vic.gov.au.
By formalising the link between multicultural business voices and government, the council offers a potential blueprint for other states looking to strengthen inclusive economic growth. Whether it leads to tangible changes in procurement practices, grant accessibility or visibility for migrant-led startups remains to be seen. But the structure now exists—and the seats at the table have been filled.
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🏢 Victoria forms Multicultural Business Ministerial Council to support migrant entrepreneurs. 👥 Chaired by Bihong Wang, it'll advise on policy & economic challenges. 🌏 Aims to boost diverse small businesses' access to govt support. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/gG4SW7nctN
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