A visionary and determined leader.

• Author: Gokal, Ali H.
• Position: Hakeem Muhammad Usman - Interview

Byline: Ali H Gokal

The vision of company is to provide and maintain the winning combination of quality, efficacy, affordability

Marhaba posses equal gender employment opportunity policy

PAGE: Please share your professional background, corporate profile, successful journey, and challenges in a nutshell.

Hakeem Muhammad Usman: As far as my background is concerned, by profession I'm an expert of herbal medicines and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan's most prominent herbs and food organization Marhaba Laboratories Pvt Ltd for more than 45 years. After my graduation, I have established this business along with my four younger brothers on the 1st of July 1975. The aim was to produce oriental medicines and natural dietary supplements in a modern and scientific manner so that the age-old prescriptions and remedies, reach the customer in a ready to use form and our products are being exported all over the world and I believe in the use of natural products like herbs, seeds, and honey to cure and prevent ailments. I believe that one can never contract an infection, let alone be overrun by one if one maintains his ties with nature and natural products.

The vision of Marhaba is to provide and maintain the winning combination of quality, efficacy, affordability, and continuous innovation in every aspect by implementing a total quality management system at all levels. Our aim is to make Marhaba a leading global brand of health and natural products by providing what is promised and staying firmly committed to principles of the honorable herbal tradition. I am very optimistic about our company and strongly believe that it will be the best herbal/food products company in the country. We will be impacting the consumer in Pakistan and I believe we should be impacting 50 million people in Pakistan in the next five years. Our high demand products are Ispaghol Husk, Honey, Joshanda, Rose Water, Gulbahar Sharbat, Fruit Preserves, Herbal Medicines, Spices, and oils.

There have been many challenges, day in day out, they vary. A major challenge is a difficulty in doing business especially when setting up an entity; you are prone to taxes from day one and maintain the products price so everybody can afford it.

PAGE: What is the most important aspect in decision-making for a CEO?

Hakeem Muhammad Usman: Recognizing opportunities and capitalizing them on time is the most important aspect of decision making for a CEO. I believe in team work because team...