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TRADER Jassim Al Ghatam from Galali enjoys his own antique roadshow to India and thanks to a special micro-finance loan has been able to keep alive a family tradition.
He has been following in the footsteps of his father and has been bringing a touch of India back to the shores of Bahrain for more than 20 years.
He travels to Mumbai three to four times a year to pick up selective antiques for his customers. His diverse shopping list sometimes includes tables, lamps, gramophones, old records, fans, cooking pots, old stoves and even classic cars.
Mr Al Ghatam, a retired serviceman, also brings back Jalabiyas in different colours and designs. "In the 1960s and 70s my father used to trade in Oud. He used to travel to India and buy different kinds and sell it in Bahrain - back then it was a very good business."
"I travelled with him many times and learned how to deal with Indian traders. I loved what my father did and I enjoyed my trips with him."
In 1979, Mr Al Ghatam joined the Bahrain army and retired after 20 years due to a liver condition.
"During my official job I used to take vacations and travel to India. Throughout the years I made good and reliable contacts with many antique traders in Mumbai as well as fabric factories," he said.
"I buy most of my antiques from Chor Bazaar (Thieves Market) and Bhendi Bazaar. These two markets are located on Mohammed Ali Road and they are huge and magnificent.
"You can find just about anything and everything in these two markets, but I only deal with traders who sell genuine items."
Mr Al Ghatam is married and has four children, three boys and a girl. "I take my family every year to India with me. We go and visit Bangalore and Mysore.
"Back in 2003 I approached the micro-finance project and took a BD50 loan from them to help me with expenditure.
"Now the amount is much bigger but I am doing fine. I sell most of the things I bring from India and since most of my purchases are bought to order I don't have to worry much about finding a buyer.
"I have a catalogue featuring a selection of the available antique items in the market in Mumbai and whoever is interested can place an order and I will go and buy it for him.
"What I do when I get an order is call the seller in India, give him the order and he keeps it ready for me by the time I reach there. I check the item to make sure it is up to the required standard, then pack it and cargo it.
"Once I got an order to buy classic cars for a Shaikh. It was a good deal for me and the Shaikh," said Mr Al Ghatam. "I don't have a shop so I sell my products in the house and I take part in some of the bazaars in Bahrain."
Micro-finance was promoted by the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), the Social Development Ministry and Al Ahli United Bank.
The project, entitled 'Provisions of Sustainable Micro-Finance Credit and Services to Needy Citizens of Bahrain', aims at providing small, short-term loans to low-income individuals, especially women.
This project is the second of its kind, following a successful project called Micro-start which was initiated in 1999.
If you are interested in Mr Al Ghatam's Indian treasures contact him on 39598041. For further details about the project call Awal Women's Society on 17678974 or visit any branch of Al Eslah Society.
