Sindhis in U.A.E

The United Arab Emirates has arrived. Looking at the tall buildings, wide avenues and the most sophisticated infrastructure in the capital city of Abu Dhabi and the commercial center of Dubai, no one can imagine that up to 30 years ago Dubai was only a small sleepy town with dusty streets, two small hotels and abra boats ferrying passengers between Bur Dubai and Deira.

The pragmatic approach taken and transformed Dubai from a village into an ultramodern metropolitan city.

The presence of the Indian community in the UAE dates back to 300 years. The people of Sindh from Nagar Thatta were the first settlers. The history and origin of the first settlers known as the Bhatia community, is most interesting and colorful.

The contribution of the expatriate Indian community towards the development of the United Arab Emirates is manifold.

Businessmen from the Indian subcontinent are the backbone of commercial activity in the UAE. Export, Import, supermarkets, electronics, jewellery in fact in all sections of the economy, the Indian traders particularly Sindhis are most active.

The famous chain of Al Maya Lal's supermarkets dotting the UAE is run by a leading Sindhi family. Started by Lachmandas Pagarani not so long ago, Al Maya Lal occupies a prime place amongst the supermarkets. Sitting at the top of the ladder in the textile import, marketing & retailing business is Vasu Shroff's Regal organisation. Royal Traders ably managed by Nari Sawlani and his brothers is yet another big name in textiles. In marketing branded electronics goods, Cosmos has done well. In technical parts and instruments to oil related industries, the most successful name in Super Technical Enerprises of Nari Odhrani. Suresh Khemaney of Dubai leads the field in export trade finance specially to East African countries.

There are about 800,000 people of Indian origin in the UAE. Sindhis number about 35,0000

Gangaramani	Ram Buxani	Vasu Shroff
Nari Odhrani	Lachmandas Pagarani	Jacky Panjabi