Message From Chairman's Desk
By: S. Ameenul Hasan, Chairman, Rifah Chamber of Commerce And Industry
In a world where the race is often to live for oneself, Rifah Chamber of Commerce and Industry believes in the higher purpose of living for others. Our work is driven by a strong commitment to uplift the marginalized, particularly the Muslim community, through sustained efforts in economic empowerment. For us, it’s not merely about business, it’s about building people, guiding them from a dream to a reality.
Our Entrepreneurship Development Programs (EDPs) are not just training sessions; they are seeds of transformation. We identify talent, infuse motiva tion, and then offer continued handholding until businesses stand tall. More importantly, we build networks, strong, purposeful networks that help entrepreneurs grow together, collaborate, and create mutual success stories. This culture of collective growth is one of the most celebrated and thriving aspects of RCCI.
In line with our vision to widen horizons, RCCI recently took a significant step at the international level. A delegation of our members comprising around 50 visited Tanzania and Kenya where we conducted five impactful networking meets with various chambers of commerce and industries. The response was overwhelming. Not only did our delegates discover new business leads, but some also finalized MoUs and opened channels of trade and investment.
What touched us most was the story of the resilient communities we encountered there; particularly the Asian and Somalian diaspora. These communities once started from the margins, in conditions that were far from favorable. But with resilience, courage, and community support, they have now become key contributors to the economic fabric of their host nations. There is a lesson here for us in India. We too have the potential to plant our feet in foreign soils and rise to contribute — not just to our personal prosperity, but to the image and growth of our country.
To our readers, I say this; "dream beyond boundaries". Let the stories from Tanzania and Kenya inspire you. Let them push you to think globally and act locally. These countries offer fertile ground for entrepreneurship. Their policies are friendly, the people are warm, and language is never a barrier. English is widely spoken, even among taxi drivers and port workers.
The first step in this journey, however, begins at home. It begins with getting connected to RCCI. It begins with launching and thriving in a business here in India, with the strength of a community behind you. We at RCCI are not just building an organization, we are building an Ummah empowered individuals, socially conscious businesses, and a future where Muslims are not only consumers but creators, contributors, and leaders in the economy. Let’s live for others. Let’s rise together.