nickshanagher

Earlier this month, the FT profiled Moni Varma, founder of Veetee Rice, for its entrepreneur column. As an immigrant from Malawi, Mr Varma's journey to success in the UK will have obvious resonance for many south Asian shop owners. Mr Varma has built a public profile on the back of a successful track record as a supplier to the multiple supermarkets and more recently through developing his own brand Dine In range. Late last year he joined the chairman of Asda in signing a letter to the Daily Telegraph supporting the government's "cuts" to public spending ("cuts" is in inverted commas because total spending is still going up, just more slowly than previously planned). Interviewed by Jon Snow of Channel Four, he said his optimism in creating new jobs and investing in the Dine In range was fuelled by the downturn because people were going to be eating in more frequently. Mr Snow challenged Mr Varma's view that the private sector could kick start the e...