Procurement and Inclusion: How Corporates Can Integrate South Asian SMEs into Their Supply Chains

A Missed Link in Corporate Diversity

Across Australia, diversity and inclusion are now boardroom priorities. Many companies have made meaningful progress in workforce representation and community partnerships. Yet one area still lags behind — supplier diversity.

While global corporations have long embraced inclusive procurement, Australia is only beginning to recognise that supplier diversity is more than social policy; it is good business. Within this opportunity lies an often-overlooked group, South Asian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a segment that is skilled, competitive, and ready to deliver.

The Scale of Opportunity

South Asian businesses now represent one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of Australia’s SME sector. Their activity spans logistics, construction, technology, professional services, import–export, and retail supply. These enterprises are often family-run but highly specialised, and many operate with a depth of technical expertise and agility that large corporates seek in their procurement pipelines.

Yet few make it onto supplier panels. The reasons are structural rather than capability-based: lack of visibility, limited access to procurement networks, and unfamiliarity with corporate compliance systems. Addressing these gaps can unlock an entire ecosystem of new partnerships, one that reflects the real face of Australia’s economy.

The Case for Supplier Diversity

Integrating South Asian SMEs into corporate supply chains is not a gesture of goodwill; it is a commercial advantage. Supplier diversity brings flexibility, innovation, and cultural intelligence into procurement. Businesses that diversify their supplier base benefit from competitive pricing, niche market insight, and improved community engagement.

In the United States and United Kingdom, supplier diversity programs have become benchmarks of corporate excellence. Australian companies can replicate this model by building inclusive procurement frameworks that actively engage multicultural businesses, particularly those from the South Asian diaspora, who have global trade experience and cross-market networks.

Bridging the Procurement Gap

For corporates, the path forward begins with accessibility. Procurement processes must be demystified and communication channels opened. Simple steps, such as hosting supplier workshops, simplifying registration procedures, or creating dedicated multicultural supplier directories, can make a transformative difference.

This is where Jalebi Business plays a pivotal role. Through its verified network of South Asian enterprises, it acts as a bridge between small business capability and corporate opportunity.

The platform helps SMEs understand tendering processes, align with compliance requirements, and present themselves as reliable suppliers. For corporates, it offers access to a curated network of trusted, community-driven businesses.

A Partnership Model for Growth

Inclusion in procurement isn’t about charity; it’s about collaboration. When corporates engage diverse suppliers, they bring fresh perspectives to problem-solving, expand their market understanding, and strengthen their reputation as socially responsible brands.

For South Asian SMEs, inclusion provides access to stable contracts, mentorship, and exposure to higher operational standards. The result is mutual growth, corporates gain agility, SMEs gain scale, and communities gain opportunity.

Building this ecosystem will require cooperation between business chambers, procurement councils, and advisory platforms such as Jalebi Business. But the momentum is already shifting. Companies that lead this transition will not only strengthen their supply chains but also future-proof their brand relevance in an increasingly diverse economy.

Beyond Diversity — Towards Integration

True inclusion goes beyond policy documents. It lives in the daily decisions that determine who gets a contract, who joins a partnership, and who participates in growth. The South Asian business community is not waiting to be invited; it is ready to contribute.

By opening doors to these enterprises, corporates are not just diversifying suppliers, they are investing in Australia’s next phase of economic progress, where culture and commerce move forward together.

About Jalebi Business

Jalebi Business is the enterprise division of Jalebi Connection, created to bridge culture and commerce. Backed by Odyssey & Leo, a Perth-based advisory firm specialising in AI-driven research and market strategy, we help brands, corporates, and small businesses engage Australia’s growing South Asian market with real insight and measurable impact.

We know our community — their values, habits, and what drives engagement. That’s why our marketing, research, and outreach solutions are designed to connect you directly with your audience through authentic storytelling, data-led insights, and strategic visibility.

From marketing services for SMEs to corporate research reports and campaign partnerships, Jalebi Business helps you reach and resonate with Australia’s South Asian demographic through our extensive, verified business and consumer network.

Partner, advertise, or collaborate with us today to turn connection into growth.

Email: partnerships@jalebiconnection.com.au

Website: www.jalebiconnection.com.au