Owner and Chairman of Al Habtoor Group of Companies
Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor, the Chairman of Al Habtoor Group of Companies, is a prominent and highly respected citizen of the United Arab Emirates with extensive influence throughout the business community and among members of the ruling family.
Mr. Al Habtoor is listed on the Forbes Magazine billionaires list 2007.
Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor began his career as an employee in a local construction firm, but it is now almost 40 years since he left his job, and in May 1970 established his own company - Al Habtoor Engineering, which was the foundation of today's Al Habtoor Group.
The formation of the Federation, uniting for the first time seven emirates of the Arabian Peninsula into one nation, inspired Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor to undertake turnkey construction projects throughout the new country and his new company was one of the first to be founded under the new red, white and green flag of the new nation.
Today Al Habtoor Leighton Group is the leading construction company in the UAE and beyond. It has completed many modern iconic landmarks including the world's tallest hotel, the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai International Airport Sheikh Rashid Terminal and Madinat Jumeirah. Noteworthy international projects include Ghurair City Centre 2, JAFZA Convention Centre, JW Marriott in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Tower in Qatar, deemed to be the tallest in the region. The company has been awarded the Trump Tower project on the Jumeirah Palm, and completed the multi billion dollar construction of the new terminal 3 concourse 2 project at Dubai International Airport.
Al Habtoor Group has grown with the UAE, and while best known for construction, it is now internationally recognized through hotels, real estate, education, insurance, automobile dealership and publishing. It is one of the UAE's most respected and successful business corporations that employs more than 40,000 people and also operate in the UAE and internationally.
Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor has served...
as a former member of the Federal National Council.
He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
He is a former Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Dubai.
Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor is also a former member of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
From 1994 to 1997, he was the only non-US member of the World Board of Governors of the American United Services Organization (USO), but resigned in protest over America's Middle East Policy.
Currently he is...
Chairman of Al Habtoor Group and Dubai National Insurance & Reinsurance Company.
Mr. Al Habtoor is a member of the Dubai Economic Council, formed in March 2003.
Mr. Al Habtoor was given honorary membership of the Arab American Medical Association in recognition of his contribution to the establishment of the Arab Cultural Awards by the AAMA. Mr. Al Habtoor was presented with a special certificate of appreciated at their first award ceremony held in Houston, Texas in 1998.
Awards and Achievements
Mr Al Habtoor has been awarded with …
Man of the Year 2003 for Foreign Investors from Ways Group Beirut, in appreciation of his continued support and investment in Lebanon.
In July 2005, Mr Al Habtoor was presented with an Honorary Doctorate degree in Humane Letters by President Hiam Sakr of the American University College of Science & Technology in Beirut in July 2005.
Mr Al Habtoor was awarded the prestigious International Peace Prize by the United Cultural Convention of America, recognizing his achievement for peace and justice across political, religious and ethnic divisions.
In April 2004, Mr Al Habtoor accepted an invitation from the American Biographical Institute to become a Grand Ambassador of Eminence, because of his vast accomplishments within his profession and his contribution to the UAE.
The A.B.I. has also included Mr Al Habtoor in its prestigious volume “Leading Intellectuals of the World”, where he joins an elite group of men and women, who are dedicated to societal improvements through an understanding and commitment to humanity.
In 2006, the A.B.I. have named Mr Al Habtoor as Genius Laureate of the UAE for distinguished progression and mastery in the field of accomplished leadership as recorded in the “500 greatest genius’ of the 21st century”.
In October 2007, the A.B.I. has awarded Mr Al Habtoor with Gold Laurels for his triumphant deeds based on excellence on numerous achievements in the field of accomplished leadership.
In gratitude for his sincerity and dedication in supporting its noble cause, Mr Al Habtoor received a gold medal from the Red Crescent Society of the UAE. He also has received appreciation awards from the International Indigent Orphan Relief Organization, The Palestinian Children’s relief Fund, The Al Ain Centre for Handicapped Children and The Rashid Peadiatric Therapy centre.
In appreciation of Mr Al Habtoor’s pioneering spirit & achievements, His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa presented to Mr Al Habtoor the Gulf Excellence Award of the United Arab Emirates during the Gulf Excellence Forum held in the Kingdom of Bahrain in February 2005.
In April 2007, Mr Al Habtoor was honored by members of the British Parliament for his efforts towards building bridges between the Arab World and the West. The World Forum award was presented to Mr Al Habtoor by four British MPs who were in Dubai to speak at an event held on peace-building and fostering cultural understanding, which was organized by the world forum.
In December 2007 Mr Al Habtoor was named Businessman of the Year at the 2007 Arabian Business Achievement Awards in Abu Dhabi. These awards are in their 8th year & are considered the most prestigious awards in the region. The winners are selected by an independent jury of business leaders.
In February 2008, The General Council Secretariat awarded Mr Al Habtoor at The Head Quarters of Arab Leagues States for being the GCC Economic Pioneer for the year 2008.
It has been Mr Al Habtoor’s ability to look ahead and see opportunities and to face new challenges that has enabled the Al Habtoor Group to grow and diversify. Well respected by his associates, Mr Al Habtoor is a progressive man, who is an interested and active member of his society and feels it is his civic duty to contribute to his country in any way he can. Mr Al Habtoor is a keen tennis player and enjoys walking.