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BAHRANI men are becoming trendier all the time and taking pride in their appearance, according to an entrepreneur helping them to step out in style.
Shop owner Abdulla Khalifa Abdulla claims that the kingdom's movers and shaikh-ers are just as keen as the fairer sex on taking care of their appearances.
The 22-year-old Bahraini believes fashion conscious locals look for the latest trends in the market and are aware of what is in for the season and what is not.
"It's nice to realise Bahraini men are taking an interest in fashion. They spend lots of time and money to look nice and presentable," said the owner of men's accessories shop, Tuti.
The store opened two years ago and caters to customers from around the Arad and Muharraq areas with a range of accessories for men including hats, belts, bags and underwear.
"The whole idea of the shop was born when I started travelling to Kuwait to buy clothes for myself because, in my opinion, it had the best clothing line in the whole of the Gulf. After a while my friends started asking me to buy them things whenever I travelled there," he said.
It was during such a trip that Abdulla decided to launch his small business venture and set about making his dream a reality.
"I borrowed money from my father and did exactly that and the business started to make a profit," he explained.
To expand his business Abdulla joined the Micro-finance project, formerly known as Micro-start, three years ago.
"I started with a BD50 loan and now I have a BD250 loan which I have to pay back every month in small installments," he said.
The loan helped Abdulla to buy a larger quantity of products and now his business project is blooming.
"I chose the Micro-finance project over a bank loan because the interest rate is lower, there is less paperwork and the staff members are friendly."
Micro-finance was formed 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, aimed to provide small, short-term loans to low-income individuals. This project, the second of its kind, is no longer open to new applicants.
"I opened the shop with my brother-in-law less than a year ago. We also bring in goods from China including hats, belts, chains, wallets and wrist bands ... all for men," said Mr Abdulla. "The business is doing very well and I have a growing number of customers alongside regular ones. In fact there is one who comes every week!"
Another example of keeping one step ahead in the fashion stakes. If you would like to enhance your manly look too, contact Mr Abdulla on 39818364.
