“If youths have confidence in our country continued deaths in the hands of self-seeking human traffickers masquerading as illegal immigration experts shall cease”
“Frequent increase in prices of basic commodities might impinge on efforts to deter illegal immigration and poverty alleviation” – Mr. A.M. Nuur
By: Latifa Yusuf Masai
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – “If our Youths could turn their attention to the abundant opportunities in the country continued loss of lives in the Sahara desert and related brain drain would end”
This is per the managing director of Al-Nuur furniture company Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Nuur, who was reacting to the ever increasing rate of youths dying in various parts of the world as they pursue illegal immigration to first world countries.
The youthful business man whose rags to riches story is a model for emulation by youths who says that the lack of confidence in the country’s potential by the youths is doing the nation great damaged recent not only through regular reports of lives lost in the Sahara desert and elsewhere but as a result of brain drainage since those immigrating and suffering in the process are mostly university graduates.
Speaking to Somalilandsun from Hong Kong where he is currently engaged in negotiations with his Chinese business counterparts Mr. Al-Nuur also urged fellow merchants to reconsider frequent increase of commodities as this bears a negative impact of the country.
In apparent to recent announcements by private electricity suppliers and public transport operators of price hikes the office and household furnishing tycoon said, “Frequent increase in prices of basic commodities might impinge on efforts to deter illegal immigration and poverty alleviation”
As he sympathized with fellow merchants who attributed the 20% rates charged increase (http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/economic/2371 ) on spiraling price of petroleum products, Mr. Al-Nuur urged the government to help protect consumers by not only stabilizing the skyrocketing cost of fuel but ensuring quality supplies as well.
On the issue of the increasing illegal immigration by youths and attendants mayhem in search for better livelihood prospects in
foreign countries the Al-Nuur furniture company CEO advised the youths to have confidence in locally available opportunities as exemplified by his own achievements.
“Why should you continue year in year out to fall prey to Human Traffickers while in pursuit of better livelihoods abroad while these opportunities are in your country”
Recounting his own rags to riches story Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Nuur was recognized for his self-development achievements during the recent national ceremony honouring the country’s 100 achievers in various fields (http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/community/2344 ) said that his multi-million dollar business which started with a meager an initial capital of $149 is as a result of his confidence in the locally available opportunities.
Before investing the paltry in the furniture business the now globetrotting merchant who was a hawker operating from a wheelbarrow in the streets of then the war scarred Hargeisa city of the 1990’s the now operates a business empire that spans the width of the country and neighbouring Puntland, Ethiopia and Djibouti as well
AWARDS and RECOGNITION
The firms initiative business trends and acumen have received recognition from diverse quarters most notably the Somaliland Business Fair-SBF which has awarded Al-Nuur Furniture company its top medal ” SBF First class commercial company certificate” for being the best trading company for two consecutive years.
“we declare Al Nuur furniture company the best trading company in Somaliland for the second year running ” ( http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/economic/1107 ) said the Somaliland Minister of Commerce Mr. Abdirizaq Khalif as the convener of the SBF exhibition handed over the certificate to ALNUUR Furniture Company on 7th November .
The organizers of the SBF which attracted over 125 companies from 30 countries termed the Al-nuur furniture award as honour and recognition 
of the furnishing business which avails high quality products to customers of all pocket sizes.
The youthful MD of the furniture company that also was recognized as the leading private company in community service provision nationwide by SOYADO, a local youth NGO, says that the awards gave him(www.somalilandsun.com/index.php/economic/274)and his staff the impetus to serve their customers and community at large better.
According to the chairperson of SOYADO Mr. Mohamed Harun Ahmed Somalilanders recognized Al-nuur Furniture Company’s engagement in community service as most visible and tangible considering that it was established in 2001
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
The Al-nuur Furniture MD says that his firm which has a policy of sharing profits with the community is deeply involved in 
subsidizing the Hargeisa based children’s orphanage that is home to over 800 orphans from various parts of the country, Somalia and neighbouring Ethiopian zone five.
“Apart from a complete set of clothing supplied each child at the Hargeisa orphanage annually during Eid celebrations Al-Nuur furniture also supports the institution with regular cash and material donations”
Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Nuur further informs that Al Nuur furniture has embarked on supporting marriages as part of its community service, Says he, “Our marriage support program came about on recognizing that married couples are the backbone of our business growth”
The MD revealed that his firm supports not only newly married couples but old ones as well through availing them 30% price reduction on all items purchased at any Al Nuur outlet in the country.
Al Nuur furniture company which imports most of its Home, office, study, Hotel, Hospital etc. furniture from abroad has continued to attract a large number of committed clients who are not only attracted by the high quality products but innovative practices established by the company.
According to Ms. Fozia Idle Hasan, a house wife in Hargeisa her continued association with Al Nuur furniture started at Mansoor hotel during the SBF in December 2011, Said she, “I took advantage of the offer of 15% reduction for six months announced by the company and today my house is provides comfortable living for my family despite our low income”
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS TRENDS
Ms. Fozia a customer of Al Nuur was referring to an innovative business tactic announced by the company when it won the top price during the SBF inaugural event that attracted 125 companies from 30 countries.
The MD revealed that the offer of 15% price reduction for six months that ends in June has so far attracted 12367 clients from all over the country. The offer entails a customer registering at any outlet of the company where a registration card with client contacts was issued thus enabling the client to use the card for purchase with 15% discount throughout the months of January to June 2012.
“Of the registered 12367 prospective clients 7113 took advantage and we are now planning an event in early July at the Civil Service Hall in Hargeisa where the top 5% of the 7113 customers will be awarded various items in recognition of their stoicism as Al Nuur customers” Said MD Abdirahman M Nuur
Another successful business tactic to entice clients is the one established in partnership with Haboon-Deeq a locally owned international company that deals in feminine fabrics and products.
According to the Managing director of Haboon-Deeq the agreement between the two com
panies is a reciprocal one with customers of Al-Nuur furniture receiving Haboon-Deeq gift packages and vice versa.
“This grand partnership has attracted a large number of new customers thus enhancing the our profits and subsequent pay back to the community” informs Mr. Al-Nuur
Though the company has achieved much since it was established in 2001, constant flow of products is constrained by difficulties in financial transactions with international suppliers, says the company MD who on congratulating the president for initiating the enactment of banking laws, said that a need exists for implementers to hasten opening banks with international connections.
“While the banking laws have been enacted it is imperative that they be put in practice thus facilitate the much sought foreign investment in the country” Said MD Abdirahman M Nuur.
He also urged the central bank and salaam financial services to resolve ongoing differences that have denied clients the international banking services like credit cards and letters of credit offered by Salaam financial services.
The Al-nuur furniture company that has outlets in Hargeisa, Berbera, Burao, Gabile, Borama, Las Anod and Erigavo within the country utilizes the services of commission agents who are supplied company products for sale on commission basis.
As for prices in the company where quality meets price, a five bedroomed house can be fully furnished in a very stylish way 
from between $1500 to $3000. Furniture available at these prices includes those for the bedroom, living room, dining room, children’s room. Also availed are items like a 21inch TV with receiver and satellite dish.
In conclusion The Al-nuur furniture company Boss Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Nuur says that recounting his business success to the public is not a pompous self-acclamation but a means to show the youth that with confidence in their country they can attain better livelihoods as opposed to foreign countries which they travel to at the costly risks to their lives under ungodly human traffickers.
For further information visit http://alnuurfurnishinggroup.com/
To view Al-Nuur product clips visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP15duSQfh0 and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EZ5TBa898-Q#t=0s
