Emirati businessman Abdul Razagh Mohammadi with his Philippine Supermarket office staff. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

Emirati businessman Abdul Razagh Mohammadi, more popularly known as Abu Nader, is working on a project that he hopes will set a precedent in Dubai. In an interview with Expatmedia.net, Abu Nader reveals that he plans to build the UAE’s first Filipino complex that is going to be a “one-stop shop” for the community. He envisions the multi-billion project to have an apartment complex, as well as an in-house hypermarket, a restaurant cluster, a massive retail section, as well as state-of-the-art entertainment venues, function halls and sports arenas. “Filipinos can come here for decent accommodation, authentic food and products from the Philippines, and they can use it as a place to socialize in events, or to play sports like basketball,” Abu Nader tells Expatmedia.net. He adds that the project will also generate thousands of jobs for Filipino expats in the country. The Emirati says he already has blueprint and has pinpointed possible locations for his project. Talks are underway and he hopes to get investors onboard.

Love for Filipinos

In the last 38 years, the multi-awarded Emirati businessman has won the hearts of the UAE’s Filipino expatriate community by providing them assistance and job opportunities. His humanitarian work has earned him the praise of Filipino government officials, including then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who visited him in Dubai. READ MORE: Meet Emirati who helped over 300,000 Filipinos come to Dubai As much as Filipinos have made a good impression on Abu Nader, so has the Emirati businessman. Many of his staff members have been with him in the UAE for years. The Philippine Supermarket owner in Dubai says he has been blessed with a long-serving team: his HR manager has been with him for more than 14 years, and his executive secretary for 12 years. His household workers are like family. “My housemaid stayed with me until she passed away,” he recalls, “She told me she’d rather continue working with me since, through my help, she had already built a house in her hometown and sent all her children to college.” Abu Nader says he is grateful to be in a position to help. “We share what is given to us,” is his sage advice. PIA/Expat Media This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine
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