''We should develop business models that fit the country rather than expect the country to fit our model,'' says Anuj Agrawal, Director of Vishal Group. The group has dealerships of reputed international brands such as Volkswagen, Nokia, P&G, LG, Sun Oil Ltd and many more. Agrawal attributes the group's growth to representing international brands in Nepal. He says that it will continue to focus in this area and try and add more world famous brands to its repertoire. The group is currently trying to make inroads into areas of the country's core competence like cement, hydropower and tourism.

Agrawal's family has been living in Nepal for 82 years now. They came and settled first in Ilam in the 1930s. The family moved to Dharan in the 1940s. From there they moved to Biratnagar and eventually to Kathmandu. The group also entered into manufacturing batteries and steel in 1980s and toothpastes in 1990s. During the same decade it also invested in plantations of Teak and Sheesham, both near Biratnagar. Over time, it decided to tie-up with global brands as it realised it would give it the recognition and importance that manufacturing won't. So, the company made its foray into distribution and representation business. ''Vishal means large and that's what our group name aspires to do grow large,'' declares Agrawal with a hint of arrogance.

The group has also evolved over decades from being prominent textile traders till the early 1970s to being importers of various things from countries other than India. It is among the first companies in Nepal to start importing from China. It also started making its presence felt in the banking and financial sector by joining a team of investors in promoting NIC Bank in 1997. It further established Life Insurance Corporation (Nepal) Ltd, a joint venture with LIC of India in 2000, and started Prudential General Insurance Company the same year.

Agrawal did his schooling in India and pursued Undergraduate and Master's Degree in the US. On his return from the US in 1997, he joined the family business as a trainee to begin with. Later, his interest into brand representation business led him to start representing international brands. ''I have always aspired to be in businesses that are strategic and beneficial in the long run, rather than opportunistic businesses,'' reasons Agrawal. He avoids businesses that promise money in the short term but may not be sustainable in the long term.

Agrawal says that his family has been a big inspiration for him. ''My family came from absolute poverty, but worked really hard and finally came into this position,'' he reveals. He feels it was far easier for him to start his career as there was already a platform for him to build on. He also feels privileged to have substantial wealth and has taken the responsibility of continuing the business legacy.

Agrawal says that his stay in the US influenced him a great deal. Before leaving for the US, his exposure and thinking were limited, he thinks. Living in the US for five years, interacting with people from diverse professions and cultures and learning about leading business families around the world gave him a viewpoint on his future course of life. ''My stay there broadened my mind frame in terms of national and social issues and personal development,'' he reminisces. Another major influence has been his involvement with the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI). He is currently Vice President of the CNI and is thus able to interact with business leaders around the country and see things from a macro perspective. He is also a founder member of Entrepreneurs Organisation Nepal. Being involved with these institutions has helped him learn from others' success stories and experiences as well as to share his experience with others.

Agrawal's management philosophy is very inclusive as he always looks to work with his employees as a team member and is not overtly autocratic. He is always ready to lose in the short term to win in the long term. ''Rather than blaming the policies, I want to develop strategies that go along with the policies,'' he states. He wonders why people always focus on problems rather than focusing on their solutions. ''I try to understand the problem but with a focus on the solution,'' he remarks. He agrees that the country's environment is not particularly great, but feels that everybody needs to own up the responsibility.

Agrawal is married with Kavita, for 13 years now. He had never seen her before marriage even though their respective families knew each other well. Though, not part of the business management, his wife is a tremendous support for him. A proud father of a son and a daughter, he likes to spend quality time with his family. He says his family is his biggest source of strength and he always looks forward to reach home as soon as his work finishes.

He believes that the business fraternity must take responsibility to change Nepal's fortunes for better. ''The major business houses have the financial exposure and the luxury of looking at things from a different point of view. Therefore, they should put in more effort,'' he asserts. Always an optimist, he believes that nothing is impossible on this earth if one sports a positive mindset. Agrawal is a firm believer of the notion that there are better days ahead and Nepal can certainly look forward to prosperous times.