President, Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC), Dubai
Mr Paras Shahdadpuri is a former diplomat
with the Indian Foreign Services, and has
served in various Indian diplomatic missions.
He quit the diplomatic career and started his
business in UK in 1988. It was by a sheer
coincidence that he broke his journey and
visited Dubai for the first time and it was a
love-at-first-sight with this city. Thereafter he
moved to Dubai and set up his business.
He is currently the Chairman of Nikai Group
having business interests in Electronics,
Appliances, Food Products, Outsourcing and
Restaurants. And he is the President of
Indian Business and Professional Council
(IBPC) for the tenure 2009-2011. His vision is to
develop IBPC as the catalyst for the growth of
India-UAE economic and trade relationship
and developing closer interaction with the
UAE Authorities and with the local business
houses.
10 KERALA CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS
As a businessman how do you evaluate Indian President Pratibha
Patil’s visit to UAE? How beneficial it was in enhancing business
ties?
The visit of the Honorable Indian President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil
was a great success. These high level visits are extremely important as
these build the level of trust and confidence between the two countries,
which further helps cement the strong foundation which already exists
between India and UAE. In fact I strongly feel that the Prime Minisiter must
visit UAE as soon as possible because the last visit of any Prime Minister of
India was 30 years ago in 1981. These visits will create goodwill, mutual
trust and respect that will help in the growth of bilateral economic and
political relationship between India and UAE.
In your opinion what are the measures that the Govt of India
should take to attract investors?
The Indian economy is booming and the entire world’s eyes are on our
country. India will soon prove to be the economic driver and engine of
growth in the global economy. The Government of India must simplify the
rules for investments. From my viewpoint, the NRIs are not excited going
to India and invest. In fact it is believed that not many NRIs have
succeeded in setting up the business in India. The reasons could be red
The visit of the Honorable Indian What are the main areas and the states in India that
President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil NIKAI Group of Companies has short-listed to invest in
the coming years? Will it be in Kerala? If yes, please
was a great success. These high level
share the details about the project.
visits are extremely important as these
Honestly Nikai has not yet exerted its structured presence
build the level of trust and confidence in India, partly due to the various handicaps that an NRI faces
between the two countries, which doing business in India as explained above. At the same time
further helps cement the strong it is clear in my mind that India is a country which simply
foundation which already exists cannot be ignored. Nikai will also have to find its ways and
between India and UAE means to enter India effectively and in a big way. Nikai will
soon come up with a structured strategy for the Indian
tapism, lack of clarity of rules or interpretation thereof,
market.
corruption particularly at low and middle levels and in case of
Your message to youngsters?
disputes the long litigation process which all put together
My message to the youngsters would be to not have any
discourages an NRI who has lived abroad in much more
shortcuts for anything they do in life. They should study a
business-friendly environments. The other business related
project, and do due diligence, design their business
handicaps are the lack of good infrastructure facilities and the
propositions, go into details, have their project screened for its
delays experienced at the Indian Ports etc.
viability through experts and then plunge into it whole
Contribution of NRIs is significant in UAE’s growth.
heartedly with dedication and passion.
Still, they don’t have the right to vote. What’s your
Business is all about how you tackle difficult
comment?
situations. Do you think that present young generation
The significance of NRIs’ contribution is huge which is well
in India is frightened a bit to enter business sector?
recognized by the top leadership and the rulers of the UAE.
What’s your advice to that kind of people and
During every visit of the senior Ministers from India, the UAE
interested youngsters who want to be businessmen?
leadership expresses great admiration for the contributions of
I think the younger generation today is much more
the Indians who are a peace-loving and non-interfering
empowered, capable and have risk taking capacity than in
community. However NRIs should be able to vote in India. I
the past. There are enormous opportunities available in the
have been advocating that for the vast NRI Diaspora of about
Global economy today and in particular in India. The service
15 million and similarly additional 12 million of PIO’s for this
sector is booming with 63% of India’s GDP coming from this
fundamental right.
sector. The amazing Indian youth has to partake in this huge
I know this could be a difficult task but a beginning has to
cake. There is really nothing to be frightened of. The
be made. Currently I know there is a move towards allowing
economic environment is great, bank loan is easy to get and
NRIs to vote in the next election in 2014 but such voting will not
information on any subject is available on the internet, and
produce the required impact of representation of NRIs in the
what they need to do is to have diligence of their projects
Indian Legislature.
done, and then work with full dedication and commitment
Making situation worse, NRIs pay more for flight
and I don’t see any reason for any failure whatsoever.
tickets and phone calls. Why effective measures are
And young generation should remember that there is no
lacking in this regard to slash the prices?
alternative to success. Even if we falter on the way, we should
NRIs have to pay not only higher charges for the flight
learn to consolidate and pick up the threads and start running
tickets but also they are subjected to pay higher amounts
to the path of success. Success awaits every capable young
even for admissions of their children in Engineering and
or old entrepreneur.
Medical Colleges in India. This is simply unfortunate. NRIs are
not looking for any preferential treatment. But they should be
Interview by K.Govindan Nampoothiry
treated at least at par with the Indians residing in India.

KERALA CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS 11


Mr K Muraleedharan, Chairman, SFC Group
On Indian President Pratibha Patil’s Indian presence in the UAE will serve as
visit to UAE a bridge to wider Indian market in which
The Indian President’s visit once again
highlighted the depth of cooperation,
friendship and historic links between UAE
and India. The visit will open more
avenues for cooperation between the
countries in the best interest of the
peoples of the two countries. It brought
into focus the contributions of the Indian
community to the development projects in is known as Muralya Group. It operates
the UAE. The visit has opened up areas
for wider cooperation like energy, food
security, countering terrorism, technology,
education and agriculture and has re-
emphasized the fact that India now is the
spearhead of future markets and a
nation of immense power. The huge
12 KERALA CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS
The Presidential visit has opened up
areas for wider cooperation like energy,
food security, countering terrorism,
technology, education and agriculture
and has re-emphasized the fact that India
now is the spearhead of future markets
and a nation of immense power
Your message to youngsters?
There is no substitute to good
education. It is a process of learning and
knowing and expands our horizon of
thinking. Here, by Education I do not
mean academics only. It covers whole lot
of factors that play important role in ones
growth. Education prepares individuals
physically, mentally and socially to face
challenges in life.
Do you think that present young
generation in India is frightened a
bit to enter business sector? What’s
your advice to that kind of people
and interested youngsters who want
to be businessmen?
I do not think it is true that the younger
to invest especially in areas of
generation is shying away from the
communication, power, education, trade
business sector. It should, however, be
and commerce.
clear that to become successful in
On new projects? Will it be in
business one has to face lot of
Kerala?
challenges. It requires a lot of hard
SFC Group already has its presence in
work, patience, enterprise and sacrifice.
Kerala in the Hospitality and Healthcare
Business is an entrepreneurship run by
sector. The SFC Group affiliate in Kerala
you. You must have the attitude to win
and be prepared to face setbacks. Also,
a Hospital at Anchal, Kollam going by
you must be a good communicator, have
the name of ‘Anchal Hospital for Mother
the ability to inspire others, have self-
& Child’. The construction of a Hotel at the
discipline and financial discipline, be
heart of Thiruvananthapuram City is in
innovative and be prepared to
progress. The Group is in the process of
persevere.
establishing its presence in the quick
service restaurants and dairy industry. Interview by K.Govindan Nampoothiry