DUBAI VISIT REPORT - 4th April to 8th April 2004

The Two way Trade program of World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), between Middle East and India was a great success. This special program was promoted for the first time in the history of WZCC, and Professionals and Businessmen from both countries participated in this program. Ms. Meher Bhesania, ably led her team from Dubai, and Mr. Edil Katrak was the leader of the delegation from India.

There were, in all, 21 participants, of whom 5 were from Delhi, 3 from Bangalore and the rest from Mumbai. Interestingly, all of them were from varied businesses and professions. For a full list of delegates and their professions, please look up the Delegate Details in the Dubai Visit Section, on the website.

Even as the names were getting finalized and the travel and visa arrangements were being organized, the Dubai team had already appointed facilitators - one for each visiting delegate - mostly in a similar trade or vocation - to make them feel at ease and talk their own language. The delegates started corresponding with each other over e-mail and some of them also had appointments fixed by the time they landed - very business like, and no wasting of time !

The first evening the delegates were accorded a very warm welcome at the India Club. There were more than 80 members and guests present from the UAE Dubai Chapter. It was heartening to note the large turnout in a foreign city. The meeting commenced with a traditional lighting of diva by Dasturji Sidhwa (one of the delegates from Delhi), followed by lighting of afargan. The opening speech was delivered by Mr.Parvaiz Taraporewala. Thereafter Ms. Meher Bhesania, welcomed the delegates, reading out messages from Mr. Rohinton Rivetna and Mr. Minoo Shroff, wishing the delegation all success. Mr. Dadi Mistry then gave a backgrounder of the development and progress of WZCC and its India Chamber. Mr. Rustom Daroga, President of the Delhi Chapter, also gave a brief introduction on his Chapter. Mr. Edil Katrak was then requested to address the meeting. He read out a message of Congratulations from Mr. Kersi Limathwala, Regional Director. He also thanked the organizers for having taken the trouble and initiative to arrange the delegation and presented Ms. Meher Bhesania with a sandalwood garland, a memento and a pin from WZCC - India. He then set out to introduce the delegates. As the delegates were introduced, they walked up to the podium, where they were garlanded in the traditional way (flowers flown in from India), and were given gift hampers, courtesy the Dubai team. Ms. Meher Bhesania and Mr. Dadi Motiwala did the honours.

After this, each delegate was requested to make a presentation of his area of interest. Each of the delegates was given 5-10 minutes to showcase his/ her business interests. After the presentations were made, there was interaction between the members and each sought out their facilitators and other members in similar areas and started talking business. It was this two hours of interaction that helped the Delegates the most as new friendships and business talks took place on a face to face basis and new leads and contacts were obtained. Quite a few surprising glances were also exchanged when the delegates met the Dubai members who were either known through someone or the other or were staying in some location in Mumbai, which was just next door!

And when there are more than 100 Zarathushtis in one place, can good food be far behind? The meeting ended with a sumptuous Parsi Style dinner.

The next day, a visit to the Indian Consulate was organized by Mr.Kersy Bhesania. The Consul General for India, Mr.Yash Sinha, gave a very interesting perspective to the members who were impressed by his knowledge of the Middle East market. This was followed by a lively discussion and interaction and the delegates walked out wiser after the visit.

This was followed by a visit to Mr. Fahad Gergawi, Director, Trade & Industrial Development Dept., of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He was very cordial and heard details of the various products & services being offered by the delegates and promised to be helpful for specific cases.

With these meetings as a backdrop, it was apparent that Dubai presented a world of opportunities in all areas. Not only was the market in Dubai vast and diverse, but Dubai could also be the springboard for launching products & services in other neighboring countries like Oman, Qatar Iran, Iraq & Africa.

After these meetings, the delegates got busy meeting their prospects. For those who did not have meetings on that day, a tour was organized and they went round the city, admiring one of the most modern cities in the world today.

After a couple of hard days' work, a Desert Safari was organized. It was a fun trip in Toyota Landcruisers, across the Desert, rounded off by camel rides, hookah smokes, Arabic tea, a grand dinner and an interactive belly dance ! You must see the photos online to understand the mood.

The next day was a serious business trip to Abu Dhabi, where the delegates met the local Zarathushti business persons at Mr.& Mrs. Soli Dastur's residence and evinced a lot of interest in the Trade Delegation in particular and WZCC in general.

After one more day of meetings and contact building, the delegates all assembled to share their experiences. Each of the delegates had something interesting and positive to relate. There were shades of enthusiasm, pleasure and gratitude apart from positive outlook for doing business with Dubai. Some expressed that they had received trial orders.

Below are some quotes of Delegates: -

• This program has offered us the chance to meet 100 beautiful parsees in Dubai - Mr. Merzi Chinoy.
• This trip has been a very positive experience and an important milestone in our journey of not just setting up a business but carving a niche for ourselves - Mrs. Pervin Homavazier.
• This endeavor will go a long way as it creates a ripple effect of benefits for our community - Ms. Jasmine Mistry.
• This program was a grand success and the Delegates had a pleasant and comfortable stay in Dubai - Mr. Jamshed Sidhwa.

After this, the ME Committee members guided the delegates to a Dhow Trip, followed by a buffet dinner at a grand Iranian Restaurant.

All in all the delegates were a well knit team, surging with enthusiasm. Mr. Edil Katrak the leader, looked after their business and other interests, including a heavy dose of jokes, to keep them in good spirits all the way upto 2.30 in the night. Meher & Kersy Bhesania, enthusiastic as always, were the pillar of support at all times.

The delegates and the Managing Committee Members of WZCC express their gratitude to Mr. Byram Avari, Management and Staff of Avari Dubai, for the memorable arrangements and a comfortable stay during the entire duration of the delegation.

All those involved were very sure that this was a great beginning to be followed by many more trade delegations under the auspices of WZCC. They were all proud to belong to this wonderful organization which opened up international horizons for the delegates which most of them would not have been able to do on their own.

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