From Dubai visitor to successful businessman

Raju Jethwani, chairman, Eurostar group, who began his journey in Dubai - ­in the early 1980s - says the city has retained its transparency and speed of operation, which is the key ingredient of the emirate's success over the years.
Seeking peace and serenity at Dubai Creek and interacting with peacocks everyday at his plush home in Mankhool is a testimony of toil and persistence for Raju Jethwani, chairman, Eurostar group. He started his journey in this emirate in 1982 and has only scaled heights of success, attributing it all to this land of opportunities.
Jethwani was all of 25 years old when he began his journey in 1982 in Saudi Arabia and within months, he was on his visit to Dubai.
"I got the opportunity to visit Dubai to meet my uncle GG Jethwani. I distinctly recall the Dubai airport then. It was a single building structure, the only one on the airport road, and had very basic amenities. You could hop off the aircraft onto a bus and then head straight into the immigration queue. This memory of the airport is a really remarkable one for me because it's such a strong reminder of how much the city has grown and how far it has come since."
Jethwani first began his FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) business in Saudi Arabia along with trading of spices and commodities with frequent visits between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Jethwani began with the import of satellite equipment. "There were not many operators in the field then. Today, however, is a different story. The area where I began is now called the satellite market or souk in Dubai. The investments at that time into the satellite business were very low and had huge potential as the TV entertainment was gaining popularity at the time."
"The setting up of business was very easy. The typing offices used to be a one stop shop for all company formations and requirements. Finding the right business partner was also very easy those days. My uncle GG had helped me in identifying the sponsor which was a very easy process.
"The city has grown tremendously in every aspect, from its business environment to the infrastructure, the economy and the lifestyle it offers. What the city has retained over the years is its transparency and speed of operation which is the key ingredient of its success over the years," he said.
Jethwani feels today, every district is well equipped with one stop government centres and all amenities required to meet your business needs and complete your transactions. Setting up this kind of infrastructure requires foresight and a deep understanding of the needs of the society.
The city today offers the global best in road connectivity, communication technologies, infrastructure, events and entertainment, theme parks, and more. It is moving towards becoming a strong energy sustainable economy.
"My uncle's business set up here was an inspiration for me to move and establish my base in Dubai as well. I set up a small satellite shop with four staff members in 1994. That was the beginning of my story here. I had personally spotted the shop and office for my business. The process was extremely simple. You could just walk up to the landlord's office and after verifying his contacts you could make the contracts."
Dubai has helped grow Jethwani from a single shop in Deira to a multifaceted company with very diversified business interests spread across the GCC, Africa and parts of Indian subcontinent.
"I am very proud that this journey began in Dubai where the growth of the business has been intertwined with that of the UAE. Today, the group is diversified into energy, technology and FMCG with over 500 plus professionals and over 50 million customers in the region. This, along with the unconditional support of my family and staff, gives me a great sense of accomplishment.
"I feel so grateful to be a part of this wonderful city and witness its evolution. This city has given me the platform to establish my brand Eurostar and helped me take its operations across the GCC. I am so thankful to the visionary leaders and to the Almighty for giving me this opportunity."
 sandhya@khaleejtimes.com