Name: Neeraj Nawaz
Title: Director
TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR MOVE…
The Singapore office has been supported by the Mauritius team since 2020, and with the consistent growth of the client portfolio in the area, there became a business need to expand our presence in the country. I had been working closely with our client base in the location for quite some time, so when the opportunity came about to relocate there, I eagerly accepted the offer.
WHAT WERE YOUR INITIAL THOUGHTS?
I was quite nervous during the application process for the work permit as it was very rigorous, but ultimately, the support I received made the whole process a lot easier.
I feel lucky to fly the JTC Group flag in Singapore, which is an excellent location for our business strategy and is predicted to be very important in the future.
HOW DID JTC SUPPORT YOU?
I received full support from Group HR during the process. The team stayed in touch with me throughout the move, making sure all the required documentation and applications had been submitted correctly.
I’m also very grateful to my line manager, Manon Thamothiram, who has been an excellent help during the move. My colleague Bela Maheshwari, who also holds a Singapore work permit, aided me in finding my feet in my new home, too, making it a lot easier to adjust to the new lifestyle.
FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS THE NUMBER 1 THING TO SEE/DO IN YOUR NEW JURISDICTION?
For me, the number one thing to do in Singapore is to visit a ‘hawker centre’. They are huge dining halls where people from a diverse range of backgrounds enjoy freshly cooked food and connect with one another. They always have such a lively atmosphere, and you can hear the multi-lingual exchanges made over the meals.
HOW DID YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS FEEL ABOUT THE MOVE?
Unfortunately, my family have not been able to move to Singapore with me, due to the current schooling programme of my children in Mauritius. Initially, it was difficult for us to adapt, but with time, we have settled into our new routine. With proper planning and work-life balance, we are coping with the new adjustment, and technology allows us to connect quite easily.
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?
Gateway is a great opportunity to refine your professional skills in a new environment and develop your career. Moreover, it is certainly a unique opportunity to move around the JTC offices with different cultures and work experiences – I would encourage anyone interested to take advantage of it.
