Bois Marbre et Pierre Océan Indien
BMPOI offers variety of dedicated tombstones to all families, whatever their religious affiliation, especially for the Dawoodi Bohra Community
Indo Gulf Times correspondent interviewed Mr. Mahamad Goulamaly, owner of Bois Marbre et Pierre Océan Indien.
Mr. Mahamad Goulamaly, tell me about yourself?
I was born in Majunga, a port city on the west coast of Madagascar in a family of traders and, I have been in La Reunion for the past 15 years. you are very invested in a particularly innovative project. How did you get there? It’s through my belonging to the Dawoodi Bohra community that I have decided to start this new venture in 2010.
Why ? What do you mean ?
The Dawoodi Bohras graves must meet strict construction standards that were not found in La Reunion, where more than four hundred families live. And it was a real problem for them. People did what they could, but the graves were not up to the standards described in the “Bu saheba na sahifa”.The wide choice of stones offered by my supplier prompted me to set up a project intended to satisfy all families, in Réunion and in the countries of the area, whatever their religious affiliation.
To do this, I established a partnership with the Reunion Island School of Architecture and Arts, which provided me with a student who accompanied me to my supplier in India. On his return from this trip, he created 4 Christian tombs with an innovative design.
And now?
I am able to respond to the requests of families who wish to give their deceased an original place of rest, thus marking their particular attachment to their memory. But, having acquired a recognized skill, I plan to endow La Réunion with a team of stonemasons.
Are there no stonemasons in Reunion?
To my knowledge, there is one, but it would be necessary, I think, to encourage the young people to be formed in this beautiful profession which has several components: that of stonemason and decorative and funeral marble maker, including that of engraver. We can also consider an artistic option: ornamental sculpture.
How do you see things?
The training center of my company BMPOI would be dedicated to working with stone, marble, but also wood and iron. Its vocation would be to train young Reunionese often lacking prospects in professions focused on Reunion and Indian cultures
This is an ambitious project!
Yes, the goal would not only be to make young people want to work with these noble materials, but also to facilitate the integration, reintegration and return to work of the unemployed.
What has been your path?
At first, I decided to respond to their request and addressed these needs After an important research work, trips to India, making contact with artisans, suppliers, I started … My first achievement dates from 2012. The first Bohra grave was built in the cemetery of Sainte-Marie de la Réunion. But this necessarily limited market could only be a niche market. To develop an interesting activity, I had to expand it.
How did you do it?
I built my project along 2 axes: export and diversification.
That is to say?
I bet on an important commercial target that of the Dawoodi Bohras constituted by my personal, solid and former network of the Bohras of the Indian Ocean zone (Madagascar – Mayotte – Comoros – Mauritius) and of France. Member of Team Export France, I undertook a prospecting study with the support of the Business France Kenya office in order to better understand the Muslim and Christian markets of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
How has your project been received?
I quickly saw that I was right! My offer responded well to a request from families in my community.
So what ?
I have set up an organization to import marble, the finest there is, and to make graves in La Reunion, Madagascar, wherever there is demand. Now my business is well under way.
You mentioned diversifying your business. What does it consist of?
How do you plan to go about it?
My project is still in its infancy, but I already have contacts with the Reunion Island School of Architecture and Arts and I know I can count on a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Indian artisans would be recruited to come and learn and pass on their knowledge to the Reunionese. We are therefore in phase with the wish of the President of the French Republic to develop France’s Indo-Pacific relations.
As you know, “Paris was not done in a day”!
Mr. Goulamaly, thank you and wish good luck to your beautiful idea!
For more details contact:
38 rue de la Boulangerie 97419 La Possession – Réunion
Tel & +262 692 34 17 14
contact.bmpoi@gmail.com | www.boutique.bmpoi.fr
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