AL HABTOOR GROUP CELEBRATES 45 YEARS OF SUCCESS AT GALA EVENT AT AL HABTOOR CITY Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group hosted a Gala event to mark the Al Habtoor Group’s 45th anniversary on Tuesday January 13th, 2015. The Chairman invited 600 VIP guests to join in the celebrations at Al Habtoor City, the Group’s landmark project currently under development on Sheikh Zayed Road. Al Habtoor said, “Today we are marking the Al Habtoor Group’s 45th anniversary - 45 years of excellence, of success, of strong partnerships. I started my company in 1970 with Al Habtoor Engineering. Little did I know then what we I would achieve.” He added, “I chose to mark our 45th anniversary at Al Habtoor City because of the significance of the land. I was gifted this land by Sheikh Rashid. This is the spot I built my first hotel, the Metropolitan Hotel in 1979. Back then it was our entry into something new – the UAE hospitality sector. This year we will open three hotels here – the St. Regis, the W hotel and the Westin. This is a new beginning.” He said, “Like our motto states, the Al Habtoor Group is growing with the UAE, and we are proud of it. We are a living proof to the potential that exists in my country.” “Al Habtoor Group has always recorded strong growth,” he added. “In the past three years, our total revenue growth was 37%, with an average annual revenue growth of 12.5%. Our total net worth, over the same period, jumped 20%, with an average annual net worth growth of nearly 7%. In the next five years, we are expected to see revenue growth jump to 161%, which would equal an average annual growth of 32%. We are anticipating our net worth growth for the coming five years to be 85%, with an average annual growth of 17%.” He also highlighted the economic prowess of the emirates, which he called the ‘land of opportunity’. “The UAE has witnessed a significant transition, from being an oil-based economy to a much more diverse economy with multiple sources of income. This highlights that our leaders have succeeded in implementing a smart strategy of diversifying sources of income.” “The success of our country depends on us, as much as it does on the government. Each and every one of us has a role to play. We must not stand back and point the finger at the government. Instead, we must ask ourselves, what have we done for our country today, and what can we do to make it better,” he added. Following the Chairman’s speech, Tom Urquhart conducted a candid on-stage interview with Al Habtoor. The Chairman also honoured 19 private and public institutions that have supported the Al Habtoor Group over the years. The ‘Honours List’ included several media establishments such as Honour list…………….Al Bayan Press Printing & Publishing Est., Al Khaleej Newspaper, Emirates News Agency – WAM, Dubai Sports Channel, Kuwait’s Dar Al Seyassah Press Publishing Printing and Distribution Co., and Akhbar Al Khaleej Newspaper from Bahrain. He also awarded companies the Al Habtoor Group conducts business with including Mitsubishi Motors Co., Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp., and Bentley Motors Ltd. From the financial sector the Chairman recognised Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, First Gulf Bank, HSBC Bank ME Ltd., National Bank of Abu Dhabi. Also recognised was Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality. The guests were also treated to a video of young children dreaming of becoming ‘Habtoorians’. The event concluded with a special performance by 60 Al Habtoor Group employees, choreographed by well-known British musical director and conductor Steve Sidwell, highlighting the strength and diversity of the Al Habtoor Group. Al Habtoor said, “It was a very special moment to see staff perform on stage. It was a diverse mix of employees from all our units. I was very proud to see them perform together as one.”
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 05:06:41 +0000
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