Indian expatriate Anas Abdul Latif
For Indian expatriate Anas Abdul Latif, success in the UAE is not defined by work achievements or government contracts. Instead, it dates back to a phone call he made to his mother more than a decade ago.According to a report by Gulf News, Latif still remembers borrowing 350 dirhams (about Rs 8,000 at current exchange rates) from his mother in 2014, a small amount that would eventually help turn his life around.
Dh350 that changed everything
At the time, Latif was running a startup called Hash Include and was trying to bid for a government project. To participate, he needed to purchase an official tender document at a cost of 350 dirhams, an amount he simply did not have.
With no other choice, he turned to his mother for help.“Looking back, Dh350 was probably the best investment my mother ever made,” Latif told Gulf News.What seemed like a modest loan became the first step in a much larger entrepreneurial journey.
The dream that brought him back to the Emirates
Latif’s association with the UAE began in his childhood when he spent time in the country with his parents before eventually returning to India.Even after his return, he remained drawn to the opportunities and ambitions associated with the UAE.
“I always knew I wanted to come back and build my future here,” he told Gulf News, recalling the energy and rapid development it inspired.After graduating from university, he returned to Dubai in 2008 determined to build a career. But like many expatriates who arrive in the Gulf, he started with limited resources and without an established professional network.
Learn the ropes as a software engineer
He spent his early years in the UAE working as a software engineer, where he was exposed to various industries and learned first-hand about the country’s demanding work culture.One experience made a particularly strong impression on him. While working on a project for Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, he was involved in delivering a platform for the event within a week – a deadline that initially seemed impossible.However the project was completed on time.“There’s no room for excuses,” Latif recalls. “You either deliver or you don’t.”This experience has reinforced what he sees as one of the UAE’s hallmarks: a strong focus on implementation and results.
The challenge of gaining trust
Starting a business has proven to be no easy feat. As the founder of a small company competing with larger, more established companies, Latif often found himself having to prove his credibility.“We were a small company competing against bigger players, and gaining trust was never easy,” he said. Coming from a technical background also means learning skills beyond software development.“I had to learn how to communicate value and build strong working relationships,” he added.
Why people matter more than technology
Despite building his career in technology, Latif says his biggest inspiration has always been people.“Technology is ultimately about people, not systems,” he told Gulf News.Over the years, he has quietly mentored students and aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them identify opportunities and build confidence. He prefers to keep these efforts personal rather than public.“Giving back is not about hype or scale. It’s about helping talented young people move forward and build something meaningful,” he said.
It is a lesson that many Indians abroad will realize
Today, Latif’s life looks very different than it did when he arrived in Dubai in 2008. But when he reflects on his journey, he sees more than just business growth or financial success.He sees a story familiar to many Indians working abroad – leaving home, starting from scratch, overcoming setbacks, and relying on the faith of family members during difficult moments.At the heart of this story remains a simple memory: a son calling his mother for 350 dirhams.The loan was small. The belief behind it was priceless.