Sharmin: from Studying to Business to Running an Own One

Sharmin arrived in Cyprus in 2007 with a student visa to study business administration and in 2015 he managed to complete his MBA studies. In order to extend his stay in the country, he applied for international protection. 

In the absence of interesting job opportunities and having missed his family, he decided to return to Bangladesh with the intention of starting his own farming business. He returned to Feni, a city where most people work in fishing farms, textile mills and farming in general. 

Sharmin has now returned to his wife and 5-year-old son. His wife does not work and his parents can hardly provide any support as they are pensioners and don’t earn enough money.

The reintegration assistance was initially approved for sheep farming, but when he returned to Bangladesh he decided to use IOM’s assistance to set up a goat farm instead. Setting up a goat farm is a very profitable business due to the great demand for goat milk and cheese and he has been also able to use his extensive working experience in farming. The business now generates enough income to cover his household needs, while his wife helps him with the business.