Success Story Of Umer Saleem

Umer Saleem, Founder of Citrus Land Pakistan (A web based company at Sargodha)

He is a Student Entrepreneur who is playing a role between Citrus Exporters of Pakistan and the International Market. He belongs to an agricultural family of Sargodha and is doing BS Agriculture. He started a website related to his academic interest.

Recently Shahrukh Malik an Online Business enthusiast, talked to him about his experience in this regards. The transcription of his discussion went like this:

“How was Umer attracted towards Computer and internet ?

I was a starter level internet and computer user and net surfing was my hobby. Due to the agricultural background, I often searched on Google for citrus products. I was amazed to see that on different websites people were addressing their queries for citrus products. Soon I realized that internet is a very good communication medium, but in Pakistan people don’t have much awareness. As a test I contacted a Canadian company, which was interested to buy some Pakistani citrus products. Within a few days I got a purchase order from them and I supplied them their desired product. It was a lucky strike for me !

When & why did you start your website and how you got the customers?

After the first successful transaction, I visited Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Business Industry and I got the contact list of citrus exporters. Then I visited all of them one by one, and told them as to how they could enhance their sales via internet. More than 60% of them were willing to sell their products on the internet with my guidance, though some skeptics did say “It’s good thing but not for Pakistan, it’s only for European countries etc!” But I remained focused on my work and was not discouraged. I had faith and was confident of the success of my efforts.

How you have shifted your campaign on web?

At the initial stage, I collected the complete business data of citrus importers and contacted them for the business and asked them to let us know their requirement as to what they wanted to import from the wide range of citrus fruits available in Pakistan. After this I got many orders for citrus especially “Kinno”, and the profit margin was very good for importers and so was it for the exporters from Pakistan.”

Being encouraged, I started an Office as a showroom, where I displayed different products with their specification and qualities. Now in Sargodha region there are many producers who are getting services from me. They are my very happy customers. They have prospered and so has the Sargodha region and indeed our country in a small way because of my small effort. I am a satisfied and happy Pakistani !

What you have earned from this project & does it disturbs your academic activities?

In the beginning, I was offering free of cost business leads but now I am working at 1% fees. Citrus Land Pakistan has become Pakistan’s first citrus products hub for citrus producers and Citrus Land Pakistan is the 3^rd largest citrus exporter on www.importers.com. This achievement is my real earning. It never affected my academic activities, on the other hand it is relevant to my studies and helps me in some academic area. Internet is a good place for business people where they can implement their ideas and make money —is my message to all fellow Pakistanis….!”