HERALD: Give us details about your company. When did you launch it in Goa?
AJ: My younger brother Atul and I launched Arihant Trading Corporation in 1994. Initially, we started it with marketing and supply of Linc pens and after observing that Goa was a great market for imported food products we have diversified and devoted fully into import of tinned and packed foods from all over the world. We also supply a range of globally renowned chocolates, pasta, olive oils etc, which you may see on the shelves of well-known super markets and malls in Goa. We migrated from Giridih in Jharkhand in 1993 and went through our struggling phase before we launched Arihant (God for Jain community) in Goa.
HERALD: Did you have any specific reasons for launching your company in Goa?
AJ: Goa has always been one of the favourite tourist destination, both for international and domestic tourists, which meant excellent place for promotion of international food products. Also, Bhatkal in neighbouring Karnataka always used to dominate the international food market in Goa as many from Bhatkal used to travel to Middle East countries and bring-in food and sell it through “unorganised” supply system. We through Arihant Trading Corporation, and abiding by all government norms, ensured that Goa can have all these genuine international products through a proper channel and in a more sustained manner.
HERALD: Essentially, how many products do you import and what is your secret of making your operation successful?
AJ: We have over 8000 products (which may include five different flavours of a same item) for supply into all the super markets in Goa. We are also into HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant and Catering services) and supply to virtually all the hotels in Goa. We get the products from Indian importer directly, month-wise and supply it to our clients on a regular basis. Our brand products range from American, Thai, Mexican, Japanese etc.
HERALD: Does your sale and supply increase during festive seasons?
AJ: Yes during festive season our sales and supply improves as during these seasons a lot of gift items are on demand. This includes packed chocolate, cookies range and we also have an imported brand called Roxx which is of crockery product and it is primarily used for gift items. This begins from Diwali and continues till Christmas and New Year.
HERALD: Has the introduction of GST cast a shadow? How has it affected your business?
AJ: GST came into effect on July 1 and in Goa the business season during July and August are in the lower side and that allowed us time to change ourselves and get into the new tax regime. September onwards it seems to be on track and we surely feel that with the implementation of GST, even though with initial glitches will help us in the long run. Every new system will have its issues but we see that for the long terms it will be useful and simple for the businesses which are compliant to the laws of the land.
