General Manager of Al Ali Construction & Development, Mr. Abdulla Ruqait, talks to Emirates Projects Magazine about innovation, current projects, corporate social responsibility, his vision for the future, and other fascinating topics related to the ongoing success of the Company.
Emirates Projects Magazine: Can you give a little background on Al Ali Construction & Development; when and where it was established and what is its general business philosophy?
Abdulla Ruqait: The company was launched in 2003 by my father, Mr. Mohamed Ruqait and has grown to become a trusted partner in the construction market, with an extensive portfolio of projects. Our success comes from a steadfast commitment to the client’s vision, a passion for collaborative building practices, and a culture of balance, integrity, leadership and loyalty.
Emirates Projects Magazine: In which geographical territories does the company operate?
Abdulla Ruqait: Ras Al Khaimah is our main focus, where we completed 114 projects in Construction, with many of those being in the hospitality and real estate sectors. Ras Al Khaimah is the fourth-largest emirate in the UAE, and construction remains a key sector with the industry driven by a combination of infrastructure, housing and hospitality schemes.
Emirates Projects Magazine: The company undertakes design as well as construction; do you feel that working in the UAE gives you more creative freedom as regards design, and can you provide an example?
Abdulla Ruqait: The UAE offer the perfect platform for creativity, innovation and a different perspective. Being the ones to undertake the whole process from conceptualisation through to design and execution gives us creative freedom and makes the process so much easier, faster and much more efficient. An excellent example is the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island Resort (Phase 1 & 2), one of the most beautiful resorts in Ras Al Khaimah. It was designed and built in two phases that complement each other and is the largest Doubletree by Hilton in the region.
Emirates Projects Magazine: What do you think your competitive edge is in the marketplace?
Abdulla Ruqait: Al Ali Constructions & Development has been in Ras Al Khaimah for the past 15 years and will continue to be one of the main construction and development pillars of the emirate. We’ve been present during its growth and have managed to build a wide network of associates that assist us in facilitating ongoing development. In addition, our continuous expansion of sister companies will allow us to provide full service for all upcoming projects and investors.
Emirates Projects Magazine: Can you tell us a little about projects being undertaken at the present time?
Abdulla Ruqait: We are currently engaged in several projects; the most important ones are in hospitality, including Hampton by Hilton Resort at Al Marjan Island and Intercontinental Resort Hotel, Mina Al Arab. We are also working on residential towers in different areas of the emirate.
Emirates Projects Magazine: Which successfully completed projects are you most proud of and why?
Abdulla Ruqait: Among our most successful projects are DoubleTree by Hilton Resort, Spa Marjan Island Resort (Phase 1 & 2), and Banyan Tree Resort RAK – now rebranded to Ritz Carlton – as well as a Habtoor showroom and 213 villas in Mina Al Arab.
Emirates Projects Magazine: Do you feel that corporate social responsibility is increasingly important, and how does the company approach this?
Abdulla Ruqait: We consider CSR should be incorporated in the daily business of every company. When it comes to our industry the focus is how to be involved in saving and protecting the environment, and this is done by selecting environmentallyfriendly materials, bio-degradable materials, recycling packaging, plastic, cardboard and much more. We also reach out to the community through several activities, such as training young people through internships and charity initiatives.
Emirates Projects Magazine: How do you attract and retain the most talented and motivated employees?
Abdulla Ruqait: We invest in developing our talent, offering employees continuous opportunity for growth. A perfect example is Eng. Mohamed Hanafi, who started with us in 2008 handling multiple projects and has now become the Owner Representative for the Group.
Emirates Projects Magazine: What is your vision for the company over the next 10 years?
Abdulla Ruqait: Our vision is to diversify the company’s portfolio by incorporating new services, which in turn will support us in maintaining and growing our market share in the emirate, allowing us to penetrate different areas and cities. We are also looking at opening a transportation division, a piling company,
AL ALI CONSTRUCTION &
DEVELOPMENT LLC
P.O. BOX 2896
RAS AL KHAIMAH
UAE
T; +971 7 2277794
E: INFO@ALALICONSTRUCTION.COM
W: WWW.ALALICONSTRUCTION.COM