(Washington, DC) The Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA) in collaboration with the Enhanced Business Information Center, the Korean-American Business Association, the Washington, DC Economic Partnership, the US Pacific-American Chamber of Commerce, and BB&T Bank is hosting its annual Business Forum. The goal of the Business Forum is to give small entrepreneurs the tools they need to start businesses in the District and for existing small businesses to expand and develop. This year, the Business Forum, titled “Mind Your Business”, will focus on emerging business trends and new opportunities in the District such as the advantages of investing in the District, how to transform the business to increase revenue, the availability of government assistance for doing business, how to secure government contracts, things to watch out for in commercial leases, identifying where to invest, and ways of financing a small business. The Business Forum is expected to feature panel speakers from the DC Deputy Mayor’s Office on Economic Development, DC government agencies, and local business leaders. The Business Forum is targeted for Asian entrepreneurs and businesses, but the general public is welcome to attend this free event. Attendees of the event are encouraged to register by calling OAPIA at (202) 727-3120.

• Information on the Small Business Forum (English)*
• Information on the Small Business Forum (Chinese)*
• Information on the Small Business Forum (Vietnamese)*
• Information on the Small Business Forum (Korean)*

WHO:	DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA)
WHAT:	OAPIA Business Forum: “Mind Your Business”
WHEN:	Thursday, September 14, 2006 9 am – 4 pm
WHERE:	National Building Museum 401 F Street, NW, PC Suite Washington, DC 20001 (By Metro: Red Line, Judiciary Square Station, National Building Museum Exit)