International Business Award:

Lankan entrepreneur shortlisted

Mustapha Abdul Kadar Mohamadu, a 34-year-old leather bags and purses manufacturer from Hambantota, has been shortlisted for an international award for young successful entrepreneurs, a spokesman for Youth Business Sri Lanka said.

Mustapha set up the Murshida Gift and Fashion Company after the 2004 tsunami destroyed his business and home, and he was forced to start his livelihood from scratch. He has been shortlisted in the Journey to Enterprise category for the YBI Entrepreneur of the Year award, a competition run by UK-based Youth Business International.

The YBI Entrepreneur of the Year competition celebrates the achievements of outstanding entrepreneurs across the world, and Mustapha impressed the shortlisting panel with his determination in the face of huge challenges, as well as with the potential of his business. The Journey to Enterprise category recognises entrepreneurs who have succeeded with their businesses despite great difficulties.

After leaving school at 14, Mustapha ran a small but profitable company making and selling men’s underwear when the 2004 tsunami destroyed his business and home.

Mustapha refused to allow the tragedy to ruin his entrepreneurial dreams, and forced to start from scratch, decided to begin manufacturing leather bags and purses.

With no traditional means of accessing capital, Mustapha received a grant and mentorship from the Hambantota Youth Business Program at the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce; (the YBSL chapter in Hambantota), and set up Murshida Gift and Fashion Company.

Mustapha’s products are now distributed across the whole island, and he plans to expand soon.

The winners of each category and the overall winner will be selected by a high-profile judging panel and will be announced on November 16 to mark the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week. The public will also be able to vote for the People’s Choice award, which will be open during the run-up to Global Entrepreneurship Week. During last year’s awards ceremony in UK, a HYBP nominee became the runner-up in Youth Entrepreneur award.