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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsHaving brought in the mall concept as long back as 35 years, Hajee Abdul Sattar Sait is a man who implements his foresight to perfection. A successful venture, Safina Plaza is today a landmark. About six years back, he again ventured out with an ambitious venture, a software technology park, Safina Towers. From being the first initiator to seek RTI to being the chairman of the Tourism Development Corporation of the state and even the founder president of Travel Agents Association of India - Karnataka Chapter, the managing director of Safina Towers Private Limited speaks to Vyas Sivanand about his journey and his plans for the future.■ How did the idea of the mall in the form of Safina Plaza come to you? How is it still retaining its name even though plenty of malls have cropped around the city?Many year back, I had seen the mall culture abroad and wanted to replicate the model in the city. I had the ideal place for the same, in between MG Road and Commercial Street and today its brand name still continues. It has become a hub for exhibitions and discount offers. People can earn a living without commitment of monthly rentals as they can check-in like they do into a hotel and conduct their business on a daily basis. We have anchor tenants in the building who have been with us since the beginning.■ Why did you think of coming up with a software technology park?I had this ancestral land where there was a hotel - Palace Hotel with 12 rooms. I was looking at constructing a 5-star hotel but at that time banks were not forthcoming. Then incidentally, I visited an IT Expo and that is when the idea of a software park struck. We got the best contractors in the field - Shapoorji Pallonji and excellent architects in Thomas Architects. Banks also came forward and now we have achieved 100 per cent occupancy. We have got out of STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) and now we can rent out to even those who are non-STPI members.Safina Software Technology Park is a structure that has been brought up to change the definition for STP business in Bangalore Central District. Every detail has been taken care of to facilitate our customers with the best conveniences in STP business. It has a basement parking area with space for parking 250 cars. Government of India and Ministry of Commerce have approved the project as Software Technology Park. We have accreditation from Karnataka Udyog Mitra (single window agency of Govt. of Karnataka), Corporation of Bangalore, BWSSB, Karnataka Air and Pollution Control Board, BESCOM, Karnataka Fire services and Aviation Authority. We have also been awarded for our gardens at Safina Towers by the Mysore Horticulture Society.■ What are your expansion plans?The second phase is going on which is about 50,000 sq. ft. The completed area is 1,75,000 sq ft apart from abasement of about 75,000 sq. ft. We will be completing the second phase in another four to five months.■ Are you planning for any new ventures?I wanted to go for a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and had even applied to the government for land. While the government is focussing on global investors, they are not looking at the local investors. So, nothing has moved in that direction.■ So, you are not satisfied with the government’s approach to local investors?I have been able to contribute almost about Rs 600 crore through foreign exchange which is a contribution to the economy of the state. While we have generated employment and are contributing to the progress of the state, I feel the government should also try to do its bit by enabling us to continue with our contribution. We do not get any support from the government except for the requisite approvals. There is no subsidy also.■ What are the attributes that make Safina Towers stand out?Our sole motto is to spread pleasure and contentment to all the people who are involved in business at our edifices. The group has taken care of the minutest details for customer satisfaction. The infrastructure supports the best arrangements for ventilation, drainage, wide roads, and ample parking space to name a few. The building is constructed to take care of technological needs like back up for uninterrupted power supply (generators) and Broadband connectivity for faster Internet connection. The structure not only supports the details in the floors but also has great features for the basement car parking.first published:January 01, 1970, 05:30 ISTlast updated:January 01, 1970, 05:30 IST
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Having brought in the mall concept as long back as 35 years, Hajee Abdul Sattar Sait is a man who implements his foresight to perfection. A successful venture, Safina Plaza is today a landmark. About six years back, he again ventured out with an ambitious venture, a software technology park, Safina Towers. From being the first initiator to seek RTI to being the chairman of the Tourism Development Corporation of the state and even the founder president of Travel Agents Association of India - Karnataka Chapter, the managing director of Safina Towers Private Limited speaks to Vyas Sivanand about his journey and his plans for the future.

■ How did the idea of the mall in the form of Safina Plaza come to you? How is it still retaining its name even though plenty of malls have cropped around the city?

Many year back, I had seen the mall culture abroad and wanted to replicate the model in the city. I had the ideal place for the same, in between MG Road and Commercial Street and today its brand name still continues. It has become a hub for exhibitions and discount offers. People can earn a living without commitment of monthly rentals as they can check-in like they do into a hotel and conduct their business on a daily basis. We have anchor tenants in the building who have been with us since the beginning.

■ Why did you think of coming up with a software technology park?

I had this ancestral land where there was a hotel - Palace Hotel with 12 rooms. I was looking at constructing a 5-star hotel but at that time banks were not forthcoming. Then incidentally, I visited an IT Expo and that is when the idea of a software park struck. We got the best contractors in the field - Shapoorji Pallonji and excellent architects in Thomas Architects. Banks also came forward and now we have achieved 100 per cent occupancy. We have got out of STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) and now we can rent out to even those who are non-STPI members.

Safina Software Technology Park is a structure that has been brought up to change the definition for STP business in Bangalore Central District. Every detail has been taken care of to facilitate our customers with the best conveniences in STP business. It has a basement parking area with space for parking 250 cars. Government of India and Ministry of Commerce have approved the project as Software Technology Park. We have accreditation from Karnataka Udyog Mitra (single window agency of Govt. of Karnataka), Corporation of Bangalore, BWSSB, Karnataka Air and Pollution Control Board, BESCOM, Karnataka Fire services and Aviation Authority. We have also been awarded for our gardens at Safina Towers by the Mysore Horticulture Society.

■ What are your expansion plans?

The second phase is going on which is about 50,000 sq. ft. The completed area is 1,75,000 sq ft apart from abasement of about 75,000 sq. ft. We will be completing the second phase in another four to five months.

■ Are you planning for any new ventures?

I wanted to go for a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and had even applied to the government for land. While the government is focussing on global investors, they are not looking at the local investors. So, nothing has moved in that direction.

■ So, you are not satisfied with the government’s approach to local investors?

I have been able to contribute almost about Rs 600 crore through foreign exchange which is a contribution to the economy of the state. While we have generated employment and are contributing to the progress of the state, I feel the government should also try to do its bit by enabling us to continue with our contribution. We do not get any support from the government except for the requisite approvals. There is no subsidy also.

■ What are the attributes that make Safina Towers stand out?

Our sole motto is to spread pleasure and contentment to all the people who are involved in business at our edifices. The group has taken care of the minutest details for customer satisfaction. The infrastructure supports the best arrangements for ventilation, drainage, wide roads, and ample parking space to name a few. The building is constructed to take care of technological needs like back up for uninterrupted power supply (generators) and Broadband connectivity for faster Internet connection. The structure not only supports the details in the floors but also has great features for the basement car parking.