Mr. Ashraf Arrain ,Chairman MIA Group talks to Engineering Post on current economic conditions
The Corona virus pandemic has gripped the world in the most unexpected way. All businesses have been affected whether small or large, local or international.
In this time of panic and chaos very few people have been able to keep a clear head to deal with the day to day problems. Mr Muhammad Ashraf Arrain, Chairman MIA Group is one of the few voices of sanity in this time of crisis. While talking to Engineering Post he said “During this time I consider it a public service to cheer up the people surrounded by depression and disappointment due to the economic conditions.” He said “We need to keep our spirits up to fight this recession. It is only a matter of time before things will start getting back to normal. This is not the time to make rash decisions this is the time to have a positive and hope for the best because the only way through is forward.”
He said that slowing down of economic activity is taking a toll on all businesses but we need to keep reminding ourselves that this time is temporary and so are these tough market conditions. “The need of the hour is to keep working hard with a positive attitude and work though the tough times towards improvement because hopelessness is even worse than failure” he said.
Another very important factor he pointed out is that this is not the time to be selfish rather this is the time to be even more compassionate than before about everyone around. We need to work together and support each other however possible until at least these times change for the better.
While reminiscing about a trip to America few years back he said “I saw a picture in the newspaper there. The news was about a man who had been a millionaire but after his company went bankrupt he had to resort to becoming a janitor in the same company. Time changes it never remains the same. We should thank Allah for the blessings we have and stay positive about our future only then we can be successful”
While talking about the upcoming businesses opportunities and revival of the industry he said that to survive in the future business, we will have to start thinking innovatively and work smartly to cater for the slow economic conditions. Only by adjusting preferences according to the post COVID-19, businesses will survive in the future. While explaining from personal example he said “My own company reduced the overall expenses by abandoning extravagant expenditures and lavish spending’s which helped us in survival. Business in the current market conditions need to start thinking on the lines of essentials-only. Instead of living in fantasy we need to become realistic and accept the realities.”
Ashraf sahib provided a very unique point of view of the whole scenario. He said that “Just a few months back it was inconceivable to open offices late in the morning or to spend as much time with the family. The silver lining of this state of affairs is that we have been provided an opportunity to spend quality time with the family which was missing up till now from our lives”
“Jis ne dil chor diaa wo mara gyaa” he said while discussing the current demoralising situation of the country. These are testing times where physical health is just as important as mental health. We should all work to try to cheer up the people who are disheartened and depressed under the current situation.”
Those who are disappointed need to be reminded again and again that Allah will help in getting through these difficult times. We should think of this lockdown as an opportunity to rest our overworked bodies and minds so that when it is over we start working again even harder than before. He was of the opinion that this is not the time to loose heart this is the time to show resolve and keep control of our nerves.
What really needs to be done is to manage our expectations of the future and stay optimistic about the upcoming future. Under the current scenario where everyone is troubled the only thing to keep in mind is “This too shall pass”.
