The BCA is the umbrella organisation of approximately 12,000 British-Bangladeshi restaurants across the UK. It was established in 1960 to represent the Catering Industry run by the ethnic Bangladeshis. At present, the industry employs more than 90,000 people, mostly Bangladeshi origin, with an estimated yearly turnover of £4 billion. BCA organises various activities to promote Bangladeshi cuisine in Great Britain as well as in Europe. Over the years BCA has established itself as the Pride of Bangladeshi Community through its relentless efforts in the interest of our community. With the passage of time, BCA is now generating huge business potentials for any suppliers, be it small Cash & Carry or a giant business industry like Cobra, King Fisher, Pepsi, nPower, NatWest or Metro Bank. The BCA is a democratically run organisation with a new executive council taking control every 2 years.The present NEC was elected to office 24th June 2012. The NEC is the highest forum within the BCA and three key personnel, President, Secretary General and the Chief Treasurer run the day-to-day activities with all activities being scrutinised and passed at the following NEC meeting. The BCA has been representing the Bangladeshi curry industry for the last 53 years. The Association exists to ensure that the views of the Bangladeshi Curry industry are represented in a forceful, coherent and coordinated way to government and policy makers in the UK and internationally. As the national trade association for Bangladeshi caterers, our primary role is to lobby government of the UK, Representing the views of the curry industry. We exist to make your views known to all those who affect your livelihood and future i.e. Governments in Westminster and in Dhaka, British and Bangladesh Parliaments, local councils and international bodies like the European Commission - where a lone voice is seldom effective. Members of Parliament and civil servants increasingly look to the Association as the authoritative voice of our industry. The BCA is run on a not-for-profit basis with a team led by an elected President. A National Executive Council is the supreme authority and the president is the head of NEC. Our Achievements
The Creation of A Bengali Diaspora In The UK
Before 1960, the numbers of Bengalis in the UK were few hundreds
Soon after its inception in 1960, BCA successfully lobbied and arranged an exodus of Bengalis in Britain through popularly known ‘Queen’s Voucher. This exodus helped mushrooming catering industry in across the UK. In the late 1990s BCA again successfully lobbied for Sector Based Scheme (SBS) visas, which saw few thousand Bangladeshis coming to UK on work permit
Protecting Your Business
Ensured the recognition of our business as curry industry to the policy makers. Opposed Governments Acts & Regulations that might have adverse effect on our industry. Protected Members Interest on Government business classification. Battled Government policy Violations. Lobbying with government to reduce VAT
Working with UKBA to protect British curry industry
Immediate Plans
BCA intends to maintain its focus on election pledges and ensure their successful implementation. Members are the backbone of our organisation and we will continue to explore avenues to aid the thriving businesses our ancestors built. Plans for 2013, including some of the election pledges, are as follows:
Strengthen the relationships with key suppliers and work together to develop a cast saving structure to benefit members. Promoting our flavoursome authentic food in various UK food festivals to generate interests and appeal from a wider audience. Develop a collective leadership culture within the BCA by empowering regional leaders and increasing local partnership. Engage with external consultants to find industry-focused solutions. Focus our efforts on tackling the two key issues facing our industry: the need to recruit staff from outside the EU and the need for a lower rate VAT rate. Raise awareness amongst government and policymakers of the curry industry’s contribution to the UK economy. Provide training to support members in their professional development (i.e. Health & Safety, Cooking, Healthy Food, new Recipes). Hold networking events organised by BCA in order to share member’s success and challenges that they face in everyday life. Improve and co-ordinate marketing and promotional activities- including developing Strategies to brand British Curry, creating a brand image for London School of Curry, and campaigns to increase BCA member access industry and business related information-schedule to be launched at the end of February 2013. It is also our intention to form twenty regions nationwide
We are also delighted to inform our members that out of the twelve election pledges, we have already fulfilled some of them. engaging dialogue with government department for staff shortage, UK Border Agency raids and information of regions. The consultation for reducing VAT will launched at the beginning of 2013 at the House of Lords with the Peers, Mp’s, MEP’s and the relevant European Experts.
