The Swedish entrepreneurial spirit – a source of  inspiration

Waqar Ali arrived in Sweden from Islamabad, Pakistan, to study for a master’s in Advanced Computer Graphics at Linköping University four years ago.   When his two-year master’s programme came to an end he chose to stay in Norrköping, where since January 2012 he runs his own company, Koongi.

His degree in computer graphics had given him a nice job and a comfortable life in Islamabad but he felt that he wanted to go further and develop more in the field of business development.  He was advised to study abroad in order to give himself a more competitive edge and advance in the workplace.

“My boss had done that, so why couldn’t I?” says Waqar in an interview with the newspaper Norrköping Växer. 
He chose the most interesting sounding programme, one that was only available at Linköping University’s Norrköping campus -  a programme that led to a master’s degree in advanced computer graphics.  After graduation he chose to stay in Sweden and now considers Norrköping his second home.

He likes the tranquility and Norrköping’s proximity to everything and the fact that it is easy to make friends.

At Koongi he delivers web solutions, mobile applications and IT support among other services.  Waqar found learning Swedish a challenge and at first built his marketing initiatives around imagery and photographs.  This is how he got his first client in Medicines Sans Frontiéres.

Waqar says it is much easier to start up a new company in Sweden than in his native Pakistan.  He feels there is much greater scope for anybody to start something new in Sweden; there isn’t such a need for already established contacts and connections.  His impression is that Swedish companies support each other and cooperate to a greater extent.  He’s found that Swedish friends have been more than willing to lend their support, not to mention the help given by the mentor provided by Norrköping Science Park.

He also appreciates the Swedish business culture, the time taken to reflect, make plans and the visionary aspect. In Pakistan there is much more stress and an emphasis on the operative side.

Waqar’s own visions contain expansion into Pakistan.  He wants to help build a bridge between his old and new countries to increase business exchanges and cooperation, something he believes there is a demand for.  He also wants to contribute and share his success in his home country, where more and more Pakistanis are taking the leap and studying abroad.

Koongi has been going very well so far and new challenges await Waqar.  The next level is to expand and hire more staff.

However first Waqar will make time for his parents’ first visit to Norrköping.

“They are very proud of the fact that I have started my own company from scratch. Nobody in my family has dared to do that before”, says Waqar to Norrköping Växer.

Therese Winder 18-10-2012