Some say more Asian than black people have benefitted

It is funded by the assembly and the European Commission, although its arrival has not pleased everyone in Wales's minority communities.

It is understood there is concern about the apparent lack of black people, as opposed to those from Asian backgrounds, it has helped so far.

Entrepreneurs in Wales can draw on a range of financial and advice programmes offered through organisations such as the Welsh Development Agency and Business Connect.

"Tailor-made support"

The EBSP offers users a 'one-stop shop' to help people set up and run a business.

It pledges that at least some of its support services may be delivered in a number of ethnic dialects and languages.

Its mission statement is to: "bridge the gap in the market for targeted tailor-made support for small or medium-sized enterprises run by members of ethnic communities".

Many businesses have already been helped

Yet apparently up to 80% of those from minority backgrounds do not take advantage of the free assistance which may be available to them.

The EBSP has already been operating in west Wales and the south Wales valleys.

However, it is expected that the national launch event at Cardiff City Hall will not be attended by some leading members of the All-Wales Ethnic Minority Association.

They are thought to have concerns that relatively few black people have benefited from the scheme compared to Asians.

It is believed they also have similar worries about the number of new firms that have been helped, as opposed to existing businesses.

For its part, the EBSP says it has been subject to the intense scrutiny that befits any organisation receiving public funds.