Dominion Traders works with underprivileged artisans who make stone and shesham wood crafts in the city of Karachi. It disperses orders to independently owned and operated onyx workshops that own their own equipment and rent or own their facilities. Most are family businesses employing several family members. These workshops are scattered throughout Pakistan, and employ artisans of different religions and creeds who work together in cordial relationships. Benefits to artisans include profit-sharing, pension plans and medical benefits. Dominion Traders provides interest-free loans and advances to artisans.

The late Mansoor Ali founded Dominion Traders, using business management skills he learned from his father. Mansoor Ali was also the pioneer in introducing fair trade practices in the stone industry in Pakistan. Unusually for Pakistan, he chose to hire artisans regardless of religion or ethnicity. No Syed Fahad Ali, son of Mansoor Ali, is following his father’s footsteps in managing Dominion Traders.

Ten Thousand Villages purchases carved stone items including lamps, animals, paperweights, bookends, vases, candleholders and chess sets as well as carved shesham wood tables from Dominion Traders. Ten Thousand Villages has purchased products from Dominion Traders since 1983.