Women from across the borough are invited to a unique networking event at the weekend, in a bid to try and integrate people from all backgrounds into the local economy.

Newham Recorder: Meena Bazar 2013Meena Bazar 2013 (Image: Archant)

The Royal Regency, in High Street North, Manor Park will host a Meena Bazar on Sunday, November 16, between 3 and 9pm.

A joint venture between and Wisdom Pearl Ltd, Tribute Production Ltd and Newham Food Group, the community gathering aims to provide a pathway linking local women with businesses and promoting more female entrepreneurs.

Will host a wide variety of stalls including chefs, caters and sellers of food and jewellery.

Organiser Hafsa Islam, 43, formerly of St Martin’s Avenue, East Ham, arrived in England from her native Bangladesh when she was nine.

Now living in Seven Kings, she insists the challenges facing residents of all foreign-language background should not be under-estimated.

“It can be hard for people coming over her to integrate if they don’t speak the language, especially if they’re slightly older,” she said.

“Often people with language problems can end up sticking to their own community making it much harder to get a job or start a business, so hopefully we can encourage people out of their shell.”

In addition to a range of stalls showcasing some of the borough’s enterprises, those attending on the day will also be treated to fashion and culture shows, make-overs and photo-shoots.