From Dh1,000 salary to Dh30,000 profit: How these UAE workers turned business owners

From Dh1,000 salary to Dh30,000 profit: How these UAE workers turned business owners

Published: Sat 11 May 2024, 6:00 AM Last updated: Sat 11 May 2024, 7:09 AM

The third top global hub to launch businesses, UAE is a land of opportunities for citizens and expats alike. Many have come to the country and worked to transform their lives in inspiring rags-to-riches stories which are a testament to the UAE's strong and stable economy.

Khaleej Times spoke to some expatriates who started their careers as blue-collar workers and went on to establish successful businesses, thanks to the government's business-friendly policies.

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From tea boy to employer

Muhammad Idrees Alam came to the UAE from Bangladesh to work as a tea boy at an office canteen his uncle ran in 2005. His first salary was Dh900.

After working for three years as a tea boy, he obtained a driving licence with his savings and switched jobs to become a driver in the same company, earning a monthly salary of Dh1,500. Later, he was promoted to supervisor with a monthly stipend of Dh3,000.

He worked as a supervisor for almost eight years, but the night shifts began taking a toll on his health. He started exploring business options, having saved