BOLTON Council's Ethnic Minorities Business Service has been shortlisted for the regional final of the One 2 One Best for Business award.

EMBS, which is part of the Bolton Economic and Physical Development Unit, will compete against two other projects to be recognised as the most enterprising and effective initiative helping new and growing businesses in the North-west.

The winner will receive £1,000 and the chance to represent the region at the national final in October.

The organisation voted Best for Business 2001 will receive £5,000 to put towards goods or services to develop or promote the winning initiative.

EMBS has been assisting the development of potential and existing ethnic minority businesses since 1987.

During that time the service has helped to establish 315 businesses and assisted 415 more to achieve growth.

It works in partnership and close collaboration with local and national organisations such as the Prince's Youth Business Trust, Business Links, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Regional Development Agency.

There are believed to be more than 1,500 ethnic minority businesses in Bolton.

Success is nothing new for EMBS. It was runner-up in the same competion in 1998 and won the BBC National Award for Achievement in Enterprise in November, 1998.

Sikander Badat, Head of EMBS, said: "We are delighted to once again receive recognition for our achievements and we now look forward to the regional finals."