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Sharif used to run Al Habib restaurant, a small family business his father had established in 1989 on Hamdan Street in Abu Dhabi. The pandemic has cost him his restaurant - his livelihood. After incurring over Dh1 million in losses, Sharif was not able to sustain the business.
"We never thought this could happen to us. Everything was running smoothly and daily catering orders were coming in regularly until Covid-19 struck. (We went) from a flourishing business making up to Dh200,000 in revenues per month to closure and being submerged in loans and dues," he told Khaleej Times.
"When coronavirus came, everything was stuck. Business got increasingly hard for me. My catering contracts got cancelled. I have lost over Dh1 million and my restaurant as well. I could not afford to pay the rent any longer. I could no longer pay the staff any salaries or pay the utility bills. I could also not stay in my rented place."
All of this made Sharif take the "heart-wrenching" decision of closing down his restaurant and going back to his home country. "I had no choice. I could no longer stay afloat. I had so many expenses while the revenues were very low to none due to the cancellation of thousands of catering orders."
He said the UAE has been his second home for 32 years. "But due to the pandemic, I lost everything and had to pack my bags and return back home. I returned to Pakistan with my family a couple of months ago, I had no other choice."
The expat expressed the desire to return to the UAE. "I spent all my life there."
Covid-19 has left this expat reeling under huge debts due to financial losses. "I owe about Dh300,000 and need another Dh200,000 to be able to start over. If I work hard, may be one day, I can make it big again just like my father did."
"Everyone should wear face masks, maintain social distance and sanitise their hands. People who breach the rules should get fines. I am 32 years old and I spent all my life in Abu Dhabi. My heart is there as I was born and grew up there. I yearn to go back to the UAE."
mary@khaleejtimes.com
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