Dream, dare and do! This is a mantra embraced by hopeful entrepreneurs, holding on to it each waking day.

Starting an enterprise and thriving in it, all while in a foreign land, demands more than resilience. Such feats require strategic foresight and good business acumen.

Babu Bashir, a Ngara native living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has come to appreciate the countless business opportunities in the Middle East. He has lived in Riyadh for the last 16 years, when he first arrived in 2008.

Over the years, Saudi Arabia has gained a reputation as a home for exotic cars and luxury car collectors. The chances of meeting a luxurious car in the Middle East are very high.

Today Babu is an entrepreneur, operating Eco Carwash, his own company tasked with car cleaning and detailing these cars. His business never lacks market, as the owners of the cars always need them to look sparkling clean.

“Yes, you can do business in Saudi. But there’s a different program,” he stated.

Babu explained that running a business in Saudi would mean 40% monthly earning remittances to the government. This, however, varies with the type of business one wants to do.

Babu arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2008, working as a barista. He honed his skills in the coffee and eventually became a coffee maestro.

After 2 years, he returned to Kenya, only to go back to Saudi Arabia, this time as a house driver, where he worked for three years.

“I went back to Kenya, where I stayed for 9 months and came back to Saudi with Holiday Inn hotel. I worked there for 2 years as a bellboy and a valet parking driver,” he said.

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He has since worked his way to the top. Babu now has 3 cars running his business, and a fully functional website where people can make their car cleaning orders.

He noted that the biggest number of his clients are mostly women, who can wash their cars up to 4 times a week.

“There’s no tricks. Saudi is a very good country, only if you live within the laws. For example, you’re not supposed to drink, if you’re caught you’ll be arrested and sent to jail.”

He mentioned that there are many avenues to explore in Saudi for those with an eye for business. Perks of having your own business include free medical cover, accommodation and a car for senior positions. For domestic workers, they get free medical cover

“If your papers are straight, there’s nothing you cannot do in Saudi. Nothing!”

Babu Bashir revealed that he has no plans to return to Kenya anytime soon. Fortunately, he has his family with him in Riyadh. He plans on expanding his business.

Babu expressed his hope to see more Kenyans start businesses in Saudi Arabia. According to him, any business has the potential to thrive in Riyadh.

“There’s a lot of things people can do. You can bring things from Kenya and sell them here. Like fruits or vegetables or sukumas. We don’t have them here,” he said.