Lifestyle - Cafe Coffee Day adds aroma to Karachi

Born in Bangalore, brewing in Karachi. Can Indian coffee add some pep and aroma to Pakistan amid an economic downturn? Amin Hashwani, the CEO of Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) in Pakistan, is hopeful thatmore people will flock to his cafes in the coming months.

He is wooing young Pakistanis. Regular customers say the best thing about the cafe is the international standards and the Pakistani prices and some sandwiched designed for local taste.

However, what makes the familiar urban Indian brand look unique is not the price, but the very fact that CCD is possibly the only franchise of its kind operating across the historically troubled border. "Although there are restrictions for investment from both countries, there should be a genuine effort to not just look at trade but long-term investment to create vestedinterests in maintaining good relationships between the twocountries," comments Hashwani, who also heads the Pakistan India Business Forum.

The easier part for the Cafe was brand Recognition in the early days. "Most people who walked throughthe doors said that they knew about the Cafe and were eager to seewhat was in the menu," recalls Ajay Solanki, the operations manager.

Solanki, who left a career in the hospitality business in Dubai to come back to Pakistan, has shed his initial scepticism about prospects for an Indian cafe.Muhammad Inam, a software engineer, says that it makes all thedifference for him.

"I come here with my family as a treat and theservice is good and the prices make it worth the visit." Solanki says.