The growing synergy between the construction and hardware sectors is gaining traction in Vanua Levu, thanks to the hard-earned efforts of a serial entrepreneur.

One such example is the $1 million dollar investment by vegetable farmer and academic, Anil Kumar, at Bashir Khan’s building which culminated in a celebration yesterday.

This as Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum launched Mr Kumar’s various lines of businesses, in Labasa Town.

“The opening means there is a lot of competition, which means the people of Labasa would have more choices,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“It also means consumers would get better prices, better service.”

In the beginning In 2018, Mr Kumar, opened Hometown  Hardware, which operated as an counter-the counter store that kept limited supply of stocks.
“As sales and demand from customers increased, we moved to a bigger building – the Royal Complex on May 18, 2020,” Mr Kumar said.

“We worked hard to open another hardware shop on December 14, 2021; we named it shop two.”

He expanded his business operations to include a liquor store, a food court and a bakery.

Construction
Originally from Rakiraki, he resides with his family at Wailevu, where he operates a construction company – Kumar’s Unique General Building Contractors.

With all his businesses put together, Mr Kumar employs 34 people in Labasa.

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