COSMOS - INTERNATIONAL TRADERS (MIDDLE EAST) LTD.
Profile of the Company:
The ITL Cosmos Group is one of the most-accomplished and dynamic organizations in the UAE with a strong imprint in consumer electronics retail, information technology, textiles and banking sectors.
The inception of ITL Cosmos Group is pointedly significant and historical. In 1958, it became the first Company in Dubai to receive a Decree of Incorporation from the late Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The Decree was issued just after five years of the founding of the Company in 1953, when Dubai was still a part of the Trucial States.
This moment in the making of the Company certainly underscored the open hearted and growth oriented approach of the late Sheikh Rashid to new enterprises; however it also demonstrated and marked the achievements that the company had made in such a short time.
Over the years, ITL Cosmos Group has made an indelible and deep-seated mark in the realm of trade, industry and marketing in the region. Led by Dr. Ram Buxani, Chairman of The ITL Cosmos Group, the company’s unwavering commitment and unfailing zeal to business is based upon ethical principles, collective returns, customer interest and dependable growth.
Initially, the Group focused on textiles as its principal trade endeavor. However, it soon moved on to become one of the pioneers of consumer electronics trade in the region under its entity Cosmos. Long before the advent of the freehold era, ITL-Cosmos Group invested in property, even before the formation of the UAE. To this day, the company’s headquarters stand tall in freehold property in Bur Dubai. The bustling lane nearby it soon came to be called Cosmos Lane, and is the only Indian company and foreign entity to hold the honor.
The unfailing principle and commitment of the ITL Cosmos Group is to building, sustaining and nurturing lasting relationships with the world’s most accomplished brands across various sectors, as well as with its customers. Ensuring added value for its clientele, the Group adheres to the highest standards of customer service and product excellence.
Over the years, the ITL Cosmos Group has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions by leading world organizations, including its principals, for its Leadership, outstanding customer service, its commitment to the quality of products and its overall contribution to the society.
The ITL Cosmos Group has also been a strong supporter of governmental initiatives that boost the economy, and is a founding sponsor of the Dubai Shopping Festival that drives retail and tourism growth.
The ITL Cosmos Group is deeply committed to its corporate social responsibilities. It has been a partner of Dubai Cares, and works stridently with the government to achieve the “Green Dubai Vision” announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the UAE and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. In many more ways, ITL Cosmos Group continues to support and harness its social responsibilities in the region.
Since its modest beginnings over six decades ago, the Group has never looked back, never faltered or failed to grow and perform. It continues to have a clear foresight and vision of its position in the future – one of sustained strength, unfailing commitment and ethical progress.
Dr. Ram Buxani
A visionary entrepreneur, endowed with unfailing business acumen, Dr. Ram Buxani is the Chairman of the ITL-Cosmos Group, a diversified global business entity that has proven its competencies in consumer electronics retail, information technology, textiles and banking.
Enthusiastic and humble, the veteran business leader is committed to the task of building a strong organization, guided by steadfast ethical values
A resident of Dubai for more than 57 years, Dr. Buxani, now 75, is a father-figure to many a young entrepreneur and is one of the most prominent entrepreneurs in the UAE. Truly multi-faceted, he is a community leader, spokesperson of the non-resident Indians, writer, theatre actor, cultural ambassador and social organiser.
Leading a team of over 500 employees at the ITL-Cosmos Group, Dr. Buxani is also the Chairman of Veeram International Ltd. BVI; Veeram International Ltd, Dubai; ITL Group Ltd, BVI; and Cosmos General Trading LLC, Dubai.
The Vice Chairman of Al Razouki International Exchange Co., Dubai, Dr. Buxani also serves on the Board of IndusInd International Holdings Ltd., Mauritius; Sanjay-Gulf Industries Pvt. Ltd. and Cosmos-Sanjay Textile Mills Pvt. Ltd., Amritsar (Punjab). He is among the first promoters of IndusInd Bank Ltd. in India and was its director for eight years.
A prominent spokesperson of NRIs in the Gulf, Dr. Buxani is the Founder Chairman of the Overseas Indians Economic Forum (UAE), a leading NRI entity in the region until its merger with the Indian Business and Professional Council in 2003. He played a proactive role in bridging the gap between Government of India and NRIs. The abolition of estate duty in India is the outcome of his committed efforts.
He played significant role in arranging temporary shelter for NRIs who were fleeing from Kuwait en route to India following the Iraq-invasion. He also led the campaign to raise over Rs 6 million, the highest amount from the region, for the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for victims in Gujarat.
Dr. Ram Buxani served as the Chairman of The Indian High School, Dubai, the largest Indian school in the region from 2000-2004, and Chairman of India Club in Dubai from 1990-94 and 2012-2015.
Dr. Buxani was a Member of the Raunaq Singh Committee formed by the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, to identify a port with potential to be a Free Port in India. The report of the committee recommending Goa as a Free Port was lauded by the cabinet under Mr. Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister of India.
Dr. Buxani is a Board Member of Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Dubai; Board Member, Incoming President of Rotary Club of Jumeirah (Dubai); Founder Chairman of Forum of Electronic Distributors covering nearly 30% of Dubai’s trade; Trustee of Sindhu Vidya Mandal Trust, Baroda, and IndusInd Foundation, New Delhi; Director of Chinmaya International Residential School, Coimbatore; Member, Board of Governors, IndusInd International Federation, New Delhi; Permanent Trustee and Chairman, Indian Institute of Sindhology, Adipur; Trustee, Gandhidham Maitree Mandal, Gandhidham; Vice chairman, Ekal Vidyalay, India; Founder Governor of Indian Business Leaders Forum; Board Member of Gandhidham Collegiate Board and several other organizations. Founded by Dr. Buxani, the Ram & Veena Buxani Foundation supports artists and authors.
In 2003, Dr. Ram Buxani unveiled his autobiography, “Taking the High Road” which has been acclaimed by critics. It has been translated to Arabic, Sindhi, Gujarati, Hindi Urdu and Marathi.
Dr. Buxani has been conferred the Doctorate by Washington International University for his thesis on, “Governance of Dubai: The influence of tribal tradition in decision making, especially in the critical periods of the development of the city-state” in 2004.
He was recently conferred D.Litt Degree by one of the leading Universities – D.Y. Patil University of Mumbai - for his contribution for NRIs and victims of natural calamity.
Recipient of coveted Man of the Year Award by Bharat Ratna, an English magazine published from Hong Kong in 1992, Dr. Buxani has bagged among others, honours such as the Shield by the President of India, Mr. Giani Zail Singh at Vishva Sindhi Sammelan (World Sindhi Conference) for services to the community in the year 1983; Jhulelal Award by International Sindhi Panchayats Federation, Mumbai - presented by Shri Shanker Dayal Sharma, the then Governor of Maharashtra in 1987; Shiromani Award by Association of Shiromani Awards, New Delhi - presented by Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma,the then Vice President of India in the year 1987; Udyog Ratan Award by Institute of Economic Studies, New Delhi - presented by Mr. A.K. Panja, the then Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India in 1987; Overseas Indian Award by Priyadarshini Academy – presented by Mr. K. Brahmananda Reddy, the Governor of Maharashtra in 1988; Sindhu Rattan Award by Sindhu Sabha, New Delhi in 1999; Jewel of Sindhis Award by Janta Janardan Parishad in 2000; Sindhu Bhushan Award by All India Sindhi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Ahmedabad in 2001; Bharat Gaurav Award by Indian Merchants’ Chamber, Mumbai presented by Mr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patel, Union Minister of State for Finance, Govt. of India in 2002; Sindhi Ratan Award by Sindhi Jagriti Sabha, New Delhi in 2007; and Sindhu Gaurav Award by International Sindhu Chamber of Commerce, Pune in 2015.
He was conferred a Special Recognition Award by the Masala magazine for his outstanding contribution to the growth of the UAE, and was ranked twice in the list of the Most Powerful Indians in the UAE by Arabian Business in 2010 and 2011.
In 2012 Dr. Buxani was presented the “Most Inspiring Personality” CEO Award by Arabian Business and also ranked as one of the 100 Top Most Powerful Indians in UAE.
Dr. Buxani has been ranked as one of the 100 most influential Indians in the UAE by Forbes Middle East and one of the 50 Richest Indians in the UAE by Arabian Business.
Ranked one of the Top Indian Leaders in the Arab World by Forbes Middle East in 2015, Dr. Buxani was presented the “Business Leadership Excellence Award” by World Leadership Congress in 2015. He was also adjudged as one of “The World’s Greatest Leaders 2015 – Asia and GCC” by United Research Services (URS) International and AsiaOne Magazine – 2015.
| Contact details: |
International Traders (ME) Ltd. ITL House, Cosmos Lane, Off Al Fahidi Street, P.O. Box No.6, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel. (O) +971-4-3521155, Fax (O) +971-4-3521294 Mob: +971-50-4554119 Mob: +971-55-5546119 Email: buxanirj@emirates.net.ae Email: itlmgmt@emirates.net.ae |
