President Joe Biden’s administration has recently welcomed Dilawar Syed, a renowned Pakistani-American businessman, as the deputy administrator for the US Small Business Administration (SBA).
Syed’s confirmation comes amidst strong resistance from Republicans, with his appointment announced by a 54-42 Senate vote on Thursday, also supported by five Republicans.
Syed’s appointment was publicized by the chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Ben Cardin, on the Senate’s website. Cardin vouched for Syed’s competency for the position, emphasizing how small businesses nationwide would profit from his confirmation. Cardin elaborated that Syed’s appointment fills a vital vacancy, providing crucial support for small businesses to access capital, contracting opportunities, and entrepreneurial development training.
Furthermore, Syed’s nomination received overwhelming support from the small business community, substantiated by endorsements from leading organizations like the US Chamber of Commerce, US Black Chambers, National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Small Business Roundtable, Small Business Majority, and over 150 civic, government, education, and business leaders.
Dilawar Syed: An Experienced Advocate for Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Dilawar Syed possesses an entrepreneurial experience spanning over 20 years, offering substantial proficiency to business start-ups while advocating for inclusive entrepreneurship across various platforms. He is the Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs at the US Department of State, championing trade, commercial, and economic policies through commercial advocacy.
Syed previously held influential leadership roles at different technology companies, where he significantly contributed to scaling their software products for small and medium-sized businesses. Moreover, as a civic leader, he chaired the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Economic Growth during the Obama administration. He also spearheaded the California Entrepreneurship Task Force under Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office of Business and Economic Development in California.
Syed’s confirmation as the deputy administrator for the US SBA marks a significant step in fulfilling a vacant position for nearly five years. His role is pivotal to small business owners who depend on a fully staffed SBA for access to resources and opportunities, making his appointment a critical development in the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.
