THE Sectretary of State for Trade and Industry, the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, is supporting Business Startup 2003, Britain's largest free event offering advice and guidance to new and expanding businesses.

Sponsored by BT, Business Startup 2003 is due to take place on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, at the NEC, in Birmingham.

Importance

In a letter of support to Sir John Harvey Jones, patron of Business Startup, Mrs Hewitt said events like Business Startup highlighted the importance of creating a culture "that respects and values enterprise".

"We need to support and encourage people who are starting their own business," she said.

"Doing so is vital to our future economic success.

''There are over 3.7 small businesses, which employ 12.5 million people. They are a key resource for the nation."