AL-HAMD Smart Living, a business which sells quality furniture and lightning has opened its sixth store in Nadi Town over the weekend, a few weeks after opening its Lautoka branch.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar, in officially opening the new outlet, said the business had now grown to a much bigger scale compared with how it started nine years ago.
“This journey from start to six stores has been admirable, with the business now employing over 50 individuals, having overcome huge challenges, bouncing back from destruction and yet giving back to the community in more ways than one,” Ms Akbar said.
“What I also truly appreciate is that during the pandemic, none of the staff of this company were made redundant, but rather increased staff and ventured into online sales through their webstore – www.alhamdfiji.com.
“If there is anything I can make of this company and its management, it’s a people’s company – in a sense that the needs of the communities and staff remain a priority in even in the toughest of times, they found ways to ensure that the people around them are looked after.
“Not only that, I see that this company has adopted innovative methods to operate in the time of need, and it is surely the visionary management of the company that they’ve always found opportunities in its challenges.”
Ms Akbar said reaching this success required a lot of effort, dedication, innovation and hard work.
Managing director Ashfaaq Khan said the current period of health crisis was not only a challenge but it also provided opportunities for entrepreneurs as new start-ups always helped in addressing the constraints created by different economic conditions and response to changing preferences and needs.
This latest investment provided employment opportunities to six people.
