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.
Today Sharma has investments not only in Qatar but also in Nepal, Dubai and the United States. He started new business ventures such as Sigma Building Maintenance And Contracting Co, Integrated Engineers and Contractors, Pigeon Facility Management Services UAE, Bhairab Baba Housing, and Right Way Engineering and Management in America.
His many companies now employ 1,500 people around the world, from multiple countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, USA and Philippines.
Sharma also acknowledges his sponsors, who gave him the room to experiment and expand. “I know that behind my success is my sponsor. He is my advisor, teacher and inspiration for all my life. There are so many other people of Qatar who taught me business strategies.”
Essa Salman, his sponsor, says he is “proud” to be Sharma’s sponsor in Qatar. “Sharma, more than a business partner, is as close as a family member for me. He is a hardworking man with a unique ability of problem solving with his own practical approaches and expertise.”
However, it is not all about expanding his business empire. Sharma has been involved in a number of philanthropic activities. He regularly contributes to a number of Qatar-based Nepalese social organisations. He is the adviser of the Non Resident Nepalese Association Qatar and is associated with many organisations of Nepalese businessmen. He supports Nepal’s cricket team and any sporting team that comes from Nepal to Qatar to play.
He has been financially supporting the cultural programmes and artists who come from Nepal to perform. He gives money back home, to help a variety of social and economic causes. For instance, he funds the entire education of the poor children in Chepang community in Chitwan Nepal — he pays for their school fees, their uniform charges, and food and other expenses. He supports an elderly home run by the Social Welfare Council Nepal in Pashupati. Then he also supports an establishment for children with special needs at Syangja district. He has provided money to the school for projects ranging from provision of drinking water to the construction of a toilet.
Running a business is his passion, but he believes that money must also be invested in change in society, which his why he takes part in a number of social activities.
ACCOMPLISHED: Rajendra Kumar Sharma in his office.
