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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Working capital at the Cultural capital. |
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| jaihoon |
| 05/17/02 at 01:28:11 |
| Working capital at the Cultural capital. http://jaihoon.com/egoptics/shjshow.htm [Written after attending the Sharjah Industrial Show 2002.] [hr] It was the first 'off-the-office' assignment for the writer. But much more than an official task, it was an interesting adventure. So far I had been a passive guest to many exhibitions, not a participant. But this time I had a chance to stand in the stand and explain my organization's stand. The exhibition had members from all around the corporate globe, although Asian players dominated the show. The majority were first time visitors to the emirate. But since all businessmen speak the same Profit and Loss language, they did not face any major problems. The Taiwanese traders gave a fresh insight into the corporate culture of the Far East. They were indeed cool although not very easy to fool. They had come in large groups and showcased some of the novel products at the exhibition. One of them brought an electric bike that he kept riding across the exhibition. He was a nice distraction for those bored at the show. The local Arab visitors seemed very comfortable while negotiating with these 'Yee Yang' like brand names. After all Arabian commerce is not strange to Far East. Arabs' dealings with countries like China in the past are well known. They respected the far, very far, East nation for its wisdom and perhaps the reason why the Unlettered Prophet [saw] said, 'Seek knowledge even by going to China'. The Iranian companies exhibited heavy industrial equipments like compressors and automobiles as well as construction materials. I could see a great pace in their thrust for self-reliance in a world dominated by Uncle Sam's gospel of globalism, in which the Developing countries are pushed to open their markets for goods coming from industrialized nations but not vice versa. But in midst of all these dot.com exporters and importers at the exhibition, one local company performed a 'dot.org' function. Simply put, they were carrying on a non-profitable process. But something which just couldn't be refused. A mineral water company, a subsidiary of Sharjah Government Water Authority, was distributing free drinking water bottles at all stands. And an Arab of local origin managed the entire stand, which testifies that the spirit of Arabian hospitality is still very high. A cooler was also kept for the visitors to quench their thirst. Summer was almost around the corner, so there was no question of saying no to this charitable effort. As such it has become very fashionable nowadays to refuse when someone offers or to disdain an act of benevolent gain. As for myself, it was an opportunity to meet investors of different cultures. From Germans to Syrians to Tanzanians to Indo-Pak. And I tried my best to convince them that their working capital would not suffer at this Cultural Capital. The sunset prayer break brought much relief for the God-conscious traders or to quote Sir Mohammed Iqbal, prayer brings man 'into closer contact withy the ultimate source of life and freedom' and saves 'the ego from the mechanizing effect of sleep and business.' Trade and commerce is vital for the progress of humanity. To shun it all together will weaken us like a feather. As I remained under the shade of the exhibition tent, I recalled the trading caravan traveling from Hijaz to Sham, while the clouds moved above it to give shade to Al Ameen [saw], the Trustworthy trader of Makkah, a little orphan accompanied by his uncle. http://jaihoon.com/egoptics/shjshow.htm |
| 05/17/02 at 01:30:56 |
| jaihoon |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |