London: Asian contribution to the British capital's creative industries such as video, film, and software, is a huge potential asset that is ripe for future growth and forging links between London and world's fastest growing economies like India, London Mayor Ken Livingston has said.

"About 25,000 Asian businesses in London employ 100,000 people and London business are incomplete without the Asian business," Livingstone said on February 4 night releasing a new report "Play it Right – Asian Creative Industries in London".

He said the diversity and multicultural society was the strength of London, where as many as 300 languages are spoken and people revel in the multi-cultural life of the city.

Paying encomiums to Asians, he said, "I don't think London could function without the Asian people and Asian business. They are as much part of the system."

Sir Gulam K Noon, non-resident Indian (NRI) industrialist who heads the London Chamber of Commerce, said London offered an excellent market and Asian companies were currently in the mainstream of the business.

The reception, hosted by leading Indian beer maker Kingfisher, was attended by more than 250 Asian business leaders, entrepreneurs and dignitaries.

In his foreword to the report, Livingstone said, "2002 was a watershed year for Asian culture and entertainment in London, with the release of several commercially successful films including Gurinder Chadha's 'Bend it Like Beckham', Indian music wizard A R Rehman's musical 'Bollywood Dreams' and the Selfridges 'Bollywood' promotion.

"The cultural influence that London's Asian communities have on the capital's creative life is expressing itself in the commercial success of many new creative businesses and entrepreneurs."

Stating that the new report highlighted the significant and growing contribution the Asian business community is making to the creative industries, the Mayor said, "The Asian presence within London's creative industries is a huge asset, with the potential to improve the competitiveness of the sector, and forge and sustain unique links between London and several of the world's fastest growing economies, including India and China."

The 50-page report highlights that Asians represent six per cent of the total employment in London creative industries.

This influence is likely to increase due to notable Asian representation in growth sectors, such as computer software, fashion and design, as young second and third generation Asians are attracted to a dynamic industry that allows them to use their skills to express their innovative ideas.

"This new generation of young London Asian entrepreneurs are also fusing cultures and styles in music and fashion that appeals to a wider mainstream consumer market," the Mayor said.

He said the creative industries added 21 billion Pounds to London's economic output annually, second only to the business services sector and that they represent London's third largest sector of employment, with 525,000 people working either directly in the sector or in creative occupation in other industries.

PTI