CLACKS MSP Keith Brown visited Alwen Cakes yesterday to celebrate the beginning of Refugee Week in Scotland.
The patisserie was opened in April by Mohanad Alwen, a Syrian national, and has already proven to be a hit with the locals.
Alwen Cakes is not the only refugee business to open in Alloa, with Alloa Barbers owned by Syrian duo Mohamad Alwan and Neehad Othman.
Mr Brown said: "I was delighted to join Mohanad Alwen today to celebrate the start of Refugee Week and I was touched by the special cake he made for the occasion.
"Alwen Cakes has gone from strength to strength since opening and is now an integral part of the town.
"Scotland has a long history of welcoming refugees and we are extremely lucky that Alloa is somewhere that those seeking sanctuary chose to settle, enriching our community.
"I am clear that claiming asylum is a human right and that Refugee Week is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate all the ways that refugees and asylum seekers contribute to Scotland.
"Both Alwen Cakes and Alloa Barbers are extremely popular and I wish them both all the best."
Refugee week is held every year from the 17th-23rd of June and comprises a UK wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrates the contribution made to the UK by refugees and seeks to promote a better understanding of why people claim sanctuary.
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