Nepali business man in Qatar
7:39 PM
14
years ago Rajendra Kumar Sharma had little money and a dream of having
his own business. Now he employs over 1,500 people *By Usha Wagle
Gautam* Twelve years ago, Rajendra Kumar Sharma had no plans of coming
to Qatar. He hadn’t even imagined Qatar as a suitable place for a
business. Now he employs more than 1,500 people in companies spanning
Qatar, UAE, Nepal and the United States. But he was a businessman at
heart and the lack of opportunities at home sent him to India, where he
started a travel agency in 2000. The business did not do so well. A
whole lot of people owed him money and not a lot many of them were
paying their dues back. He came to Qatar chasing a few of his debtors.
Though he was unable to recover any money, Qatar gave him room to grow
and establish himself as a reputable businessman.
“I had heard that business is the hardest game to play in Gulf
countries. But, when I came here, I saw rich new possibilities and a
good environment for business in Qatar.” He decided against going back
and instead settled on trying his luck here in Qatar. His first venture
here was the Manakamana Restaurant, which he opened in 2003 as a joint
investment with a number of Qatari sponsors, who also owned the bulk of
the share in the business. Despite Sharma’s best efforts, the restaurant
failed to do well. He then took up a job in an Indian-Qatari company,
which itself was in a crisis due to mismanagement. The owners were quick
to notice Sharma’s skills and put him in charge of the accounts. He did
well in his new role, earning the trust of his superiors and in turn
getting more responsibilities. Sharma had already left the restaurant
business by then, but was still in touch with his former partner.
Together they started Al Maymoon Trading And Services Co in 2004, this
time as equal partners. Skill alone though is not sufficient to get a
business off the ground and Sharma had to put up 16-18 hours a day to
get the company off ground. Later, his existing partner decided to leave
the company. New Qatari partners joined Sharma in his venture. He met
Essa Salman J A al-Kuwari and Hussain Salem Bajubair. Together, the
three worked hard to grow the company from 40 people in 2004 to more
than 300 workers in 2006. “The more space we get the more ways we can
find. Qatar and its people really provided me more space and [helped me
grow]. I will always be indebted to Qatari people who taught me how to
grow,” Sharma said in an interview with Community.
0 comments