Are you sure you've got enough rice Imdad? (From Asian Image)

Are you sure you've got enough rice Imdad?

11:26am Friday 6th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

A joiner has started a new career — as a rice importer and he's got 50 tonnes of it to sell!

Imdad Hussein imported 50 tonnes of premium Basmati, getting through UK and EU bureaucracy with help from the No Limits programme.

Imdad explains; “I’d been thinking about importing for a while, but this year I thought I should go for it.”

Looking for information on the web, he found the No Limits website and was put in touch with advisor Stef Heywood at the Chamber of Commerce East Lancashire, which works with No Limits.

Imdad said: “The advantage was that they were local and I could have face to face meetings.”

The Sardar brand rice, known as a ‘Super Basmati’ is considered to be one of the best in the world for flavour. It is now available from shops and some cash and carry stores around Lancashire and Greater Manchester, and is available to restaurants and caterers.

He soon discovered that bringing in rice was more complicated than other goods– with various personal and business registrations needed with all sorts of organisations.

He admits: “The first couple of weeks trying to get licences were disheartening, but I tried my best. The hard stage is gone and the next time should be easier.”

As well as marketing training, No Limits was able to offer support and advice from very experienced international trade experts.

Advisor Stef Heywood said: “Food imports are more complicated. There are more rules, and it’s easy to get an import rejected.

“Imdad researched the market, the product and the process, which is key. And he had the drive to get through all the processes.”

Imdad is already talking to other traders about getting the rice into stores outside the North West, clear that it is a top quality product at a competitive price.

And while he’s not ruling out importing other products, he says: “Rice is enough, for now.”

You can find out more about Sardar Rice at www.sardarrice.com.

And if you’re wondering about starting your own business or want free business advice, call No Limits on 0800 612 2029 or visit www.no-limits.org.uk.

• Print
• Email
• Share