Nominee for Small Business Administrator Must Ensure that AAPI Businesses Have Resources to Recover from the Covid-19 Pandemic

Washington, D.C., January 8, 2020— President-elect Biden has picked Isabel Guzman to serve as administrator of the Small Business Administration during what has been an absolutely devastating time for America’s 30 million small businesses, including more than 2 million Asian American and Pacific Islander business owners, that have been disproportionately impacted since the onset of the pandemic.

The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) believes having a strong relationship with the SBA will be crucial to our advocacy efforts to support AAPI business owners as they recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The devastating impact of Covid-19 on AAPI businesses has been overwhelming, and many have not survived. In the nationwide survey National ACE fielded in November 2020, 84% say that Covid-19 has had a negative impact on their business. Additionally, given the unfortunate confusion and lack of communication, 60% of AAPI business owners say they did not apply because they did not think they were eligible for any federal relief.

National ACE serves as a crucial conduit for information and resources to the millions of the AAPI business owners around the country as they start and run their businesses. We call on the SBA to ensure that the ability for us to serve our members – through open, consistent, and constant communication – will be a key tenant of the agency under the Biden Administration.

“We applaud President-elect Biden for keeping his word and building the most diverse Cabinet in our nation’s history. This includes Neera Tanden, nominee to serve as the Office of Management Budget director, and the nomination of Katherine Tai to be the United States Trade Representative. We urge the President-elect to continue nominating additional, qualified AAPI individuals to serve in his Administration and who represent our diverse country,” said Chiling Tong, President and CEO of National ACE.

“We look forward to meeting with Ms. Guzman in the very near future to better understand her goals and objectives as SBA administrator, and to the Senate swiftly confirming her so that she can begin the important work of supporting small businesses as they continue to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic.”

###

About Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE)

ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI business interests and effect positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of AAPI business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders.  ACE strives to do this through supporting and promoting issues that impact the AAPI business community, improving the economic development and economic impact of the AAPI community, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs nationally.