A leading supplier of office and school furniture, and LED lights,opened its fifth store at the weekend, in a show of continued investor confidence.

At a time when the economy had contracted by 20 per cent, Al-Hamd Smart Living expanded its business from its initial establishment in Nadi.

The chain store opened its newest retail outlet and showroom at at Grantham Road, Suva.

Managing director, Ashfaaq Khan, said the company had plans to open outlets in Nausori and Lautoka, and further its operation on a regional scale.

The multi-million dollar business dates back 10 years, when a family of four launched the business at Nadi Town.

Stamping his mark
Al-Hamd moved on to supply office chairs, before stamping its mark as a leader in the supply of a range of quality school furniture.

“We offer a five-year warranty for classroom chairs,” Mr Khan said.

“A range of our products have received a 4.5 star rating on Amazon, the online eco-friendly trading giant.”

Mr Khan said the success of any company hinged on the strength of an economy and Government support.

A joiner by profession, he designs his China-made furniture.

“We also design and build shop interiors, and shop fittings.

“I travel to China to personally select the items,” he said.

Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar, credited the company’s “boldness and decisive” venture at the time when businesses were shutting down on the back of the COVID-19 crisis.

She hailed the initiative as another successful move by the company, which had lost its initial business to a fire.

Al-Hamd Smart Living managing director Ashfaaq Khan demonstrates how a mirror illuminates when touched at the launch of Al-Mahd’s fifth shop, on March 13, 2021. The shop is located at Grantham Road, Suva. Photo: Leon Lord

Quality
Addressing staff at the launch, Ms. Akbar said, “Don’t compromise your quality.

“Maintain your image for this reputable company.

“Pray for this business to take its operations to the next level.”

Ms Akbar acknowledged the presence of her brother, Fazrul Rahman, who she said was responsible for national budget for existing business, at the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS).

Mr Rahman is the director revenue at FRCS.

Mr Rahman said the opening of Al-Hamd’s fifth store was a “real injection of private sector investment in the economy.”

He called for more businesses to follow suit.

“We want to work with businesses in this country,” Mr. Rahman said.

“Our IT system at FRCS will simplify the entire cycle to reduce the cost and ease of doing business in Fiji.”

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