The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently
conducted a study that found Iranian immigrants among the top 20 immigrant
groups with the highest rate of business ownership, contributing substantially
to the U.S. economy.
According to the report, there are 33,570 active and contributing Iranian
American business owners in the U.S., with an astounding 21.5% business
ownership rate. The study also found that the total net business income
generated by Iranian Americans is $2,559,450,000.
Overall, the SBA report demonstrates the importance of immigrant business
owners' involvement and contribution to the U.S. economy. Immigrant business
owners make significant contributions to business income, generating $67 billion
of the $577 billion in U.S. business income. According to SBA's report,
immigrants are 30 percent more likely to start businesses each month than are
non-immigrants. Mexicans represent the largest number of immigrant business
owners, while Greeks, Koreans, and Iranians have the highest ownership rates.
The report was released at a panel discussion jointly organized by the Minority
Business Development Agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the SBA
Office of Advocacy.
The Office of Advocacy, the "small business watchdog" of the federal government,
examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently
represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the
President.
