Sumit Malhotra (pictured) is a well known name in the circle of Indian entrepreneurs and professionals. But back in 2010, when Malhotra landed in Doha, he was one among thousands of professionals who wanted to make big in Qatar.
Now Malhotra, who has spent over a decade in financial services across India and the Middle East, is not only running a company as a General Manager, but is also helping other professionals and entrepreneurs who needs a helping hand.
With in a short duration, the banker-turned-entrepreneur joined the The Indian Business & Professionals Council (IBPC) and became its General Secretary.
“My previous experience in the Middle East has helped me to grow in Qatar and the platform provided by IBPC has helped me to connect with established Indian professionals and entrepreneurs,” Malhotra told The Peninsula. “I am honoured to be a part of this organisation in my role as a General Secretary. We are the first apex body of the Indian Community to be registered at Qatar Financial Centre as a business council,” he added.
Malhotra is currently working as General Manager of Asia Electro Mechanical Company which is a well known trading company engaged in distribution and wholesale supplies of plumbing and electrical material. In his previous stints, he has worked with leading Japanese, Indian and US companies including Maruti-Suzuki, ICICI Bank and Citi Group- Citi Financial & Citibank and has spent over a decade in financial services across India & Middle East.
“IBPC has been playing a very crucial role to assist and support the Indian companies looking at establishing a presence in Qatar and entering Qatar,” he added.
The council helps Indian professionals and entrepreneurs to give necessary information about Qatar and its economy.
“We try to organise one event every month that is aimed to help Indian professionals and entrepreneurs,”added Malhotra.
The council has planned many initiatives to help Indian professionals and entrepreneurs. Sharing future plans, Malhotra said, “IBPC is bringing out the first edition of the Indian Businessmen Directory and will distribute it to all those who seek information on Indian businessmen based in Qatar, their business activities and the products and services being offered,” he said.
“This very useful repository of information will facilitate networking and increased flow and exchange of information among the business community based in Qatar as well as for trade bodies in Qatar and India,” he added.
IBPC will be leading a delegation of food importers and retail chains to participate in Indus Food, Edition II, the largest hosted buyer F&B trade show in India, where more than 40 countries will be participating.
IBPC has held a series of events in 2017 and 2018. It hosted a delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and assisted a delegation of Indian companies in Hospitality Qatar event. IBPC led a delegation of food importers from Qatar and participated in Indus food conference in India. It facilitated a high level delegation from QFC to India at World Conference on IT Hyderabad –NASSCOM event and also organised the first ever Qatar India Business and Investment Conference.
“IBPC is a body which has many veteran entrepreneurs who are successful in their respective fields. Budding entrepreneurs from Indian can approach them learn from their experience. The Councils is also planning to get in touch with Qatar Business Incubation Center, so that we can make some programme to help Indian professionals and entrepreneurs.
IBPC led a Qatari companies delegation to the mega food and beverage industry trade show “Vibrant Tamil Nadu Global Expo and Summit” in India. The expo provided an excellent platform for Qatari companies from where to explore business prospects and enter into long-term supply tie-ups with India. Besides the representatives of leading Qatari firms, over 400 most prominent global F&B industry representatives gathered to meet Indian suppliers at the event with a view to sourcing new products, meeting with suppliers and developing new business partnership.
