The positive impact of the refugee crisis on Europe
This time of the year people come up with lists of the biggest trends of the coming year. However, by far the most dynamic market segment in the UK and Europe has been the ethnic market. The growth in this market has been attributed mainly due to early migrations in the early 60’s and the subsequent above average growth due to the high birth rate within the ethnic communities and new arrivals.
And when you think the market may go stagnant comes the largest wave of refugee march ever witnessed in Europe with the arrivals of close to 400,000 people from (Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan) rising to 1.5 million within the next few months, all seeking a new home due to the problems in the region.
This new phenomenon that was encouraged by some EU leaders and opposed by others, did not stem the flow of people seeking to move in search of better prospect and following the destruction of their livelihood due to proxy wars imposed on them in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan. This flow will add at least 1.2 million Arabs of working age to Europe workforce who will add to the diversity of the ethnic community and
What will the impact of this migration on the ethnic market in the future?
1. More reliance on own media’s such as TV, radio for information as these migrants will rely on their own media such as TV, Press, radio and digital as well as word of mouth to be informed about the rules and regulation of the host nation.
2. An Emerging Arabic market in France, Germany, Sweden, Austria and the UK will be supplemented by a new dynamic hard working people determined to improve their livelihood and secure a decent future for them and their families and follow the success their predecessors have established
3. School and college enrolment will be high, as Arabs are known to love study, work and wealth creation and the Syrian and Iraqi groups are amongst the most law abiding, smart and industrious groups.
4. Growing wealth of the local Arab community in Europe will increase in prosperity and may see a shift away from London to the region as London has become saturated and property prices has reached an all time high
5. High SME business ownership will grow as the mind-set of the new arrivals is geared towards setting up new business and mainly within the SME sector and employ more staff in due course
6. Home and car ownership will get a boost as most of the new arrivals would need a car and a home and this will subsequently stimulate white goods purchases
So while these refugees may need to be trained and helped to adjust they can quickly find their way around as they did in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq and get on with the task of setting up business or work in the service or the building industry which has a shortage of skilled people.
