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AAPI businesses drive Maryland economy: Lt. Gov Miller
Maryland is home to more than 14,000 AAPI-owned businesses that support approximately 118,000 jobs.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 12, Apr 2025
- 15:29 EDT
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Aruna K. Miller at the conference / governor.maryland.gov
Lieutenant Governor of Maryland Aruna K. Miller emphasized the critical role of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned businesses in driving the state’s economy.
“AAPI entrepreneurs are a driving force in Maryland’s economy—building strong businesses, creating jobs, and fueling innovation across every sector,” Miller said as she joined business and community leaders at the 2025 Maryland Asian American Business Conference that took place this week.
“Governor Moore and I are committed to ensuring that AAPI-owned businesses have the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to grow and thrive,” Miller said highlighting the administration’s continued support for these businesses.
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Hosted in Rockville, the annual conference brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore pathways for growth, address challenges, and share resources to empower Maryland’s AAPI business community.
The state is home to more than 14,000 AAPI-owned businesses that support approximately 118,000 jobs and generate more than half of the total revenue from all minority-owned businesses in Maryland.
Throughout the conference, attendees participated in panel discussions led by top officials and industry experts. Topics included access to capital, state procurement opportunities, partnerships with higher education, and strategies to strengthen entrepreneurship within the AAPI community. Representatives from multiple state agencies were present, including the Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, Higher Education Commission, and the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives.
“Maryland’s world-class institutions of higher education offer exceptional academic programs that incorporate research and innovation and serve as the bedrock for the economic competitiveness of our state,” said Maryland Higher Education Commission Secretary Sanjay Rai.
“The higher education community remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure each student graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset, prepared to help build upon the storied successes of the AAPI community in the state’s most highly sought-after fields,” he added.
Maryland has been recognized as the leading state in the nation for minority-owned businesses. Under the Moore-Miller Administration, the state has awarded over $3 billion in contracts to small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses—a record investment in inclusive economic development.
“Under Governor Moore's transformative leadership, the State of Maryland is undertaking a comprehensive effort to reform state procurement, providing more equitable access to the state’s procurement system,” said Maryland Department of General Services Secretary Atif Chaudhry. “These efforts will provide the AAPI and broader minority business community with more opportunities than ever to participate in state contracting and contribute to Maryland's success.”
Resources showcased at the conference included programs from the Maryland Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, the Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs, and the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. The Asian American Chamber of Commerce also participated, highlighting ongoing regional initiatives to support AAPI entrepreneurs.
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