Desert diaries - Q&A

Your Royal Highness, which markets do you see as the best for investment right now?
Any investor, any company, would like to go where growth is. The big upside now is in the East. As you can see in China, India and all the neighboring countries - the big boom is in the ASEAN countries.

Do you think the boom in the Middle East will continue?
The Middle East is witnessing a major boom not just because of the price of oil but because there is an awakening. In some countries oil represents a small percentage of the economy, like Egypt and Morocco, Jordan. Yet you can see a renaissance. An upward move.

Why do you think there have been such spectacular growth rates in the Middle East?
The Middle East was dormant, it was sleeping for a long time before the last three years. Then there was a quake.

Are you not concerned at the speed of growth in some sectors, such as property?
Many of these countries have huge infrastructure projects like roads and schools and hospitals. In Levant, the needs are different because they still need infrastructure. Each zone, each arena, needs different sectors of construction and development.

What new sectors are you looking at, and what are your best sectors right now?
We are strong in hotels, banking, media, real estate, consumer products. In addition to organic growth, to push those companies to gain their maximum potential, we are always looking at new opportunities.

Do you think the gap between East and West has been bridged since 9/11?
This is a long story. It's definitely not being bridged, but it has stabilized. It went down hill for a long time but now it has stabilized. Until three years it was just going down. Before you go up you need to stabilize. We are in a stabilization period. Not only me, but governments and business think so.

Is this "bridging" process something you are involved in?
This is a big burden which I take very responsibly.

Do you still have any challenges left?
Kingdom Holding is going public soon, imminently. So the real work is going to begin right now.

Do you ever really relax?
With me there is no full relaxation at all. This is my weekend. I'm going to read all these magazines. And 4am I go for an hour walk.

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USER COMMENTS (6 COMMENTS)

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Investment opportunity in the Middle East
Posted by Is there a business contact details, Sydney, Australia on Wednesday 26 December 2007 at 21:52 UAE time


I appreciate if you sent me the contact detailes of Prince Alwaleed to send him a business proposal for a profitable investment in the Middle East, I am even happy to meet him if this required to discuss this business opportunity, as I believe this business is one of the most profitable businesses not just in the ME but in Europe and US.

I look forward to receiving his conact details in the near future.

Kind regards

i'm very proud of you
Posted by mohamad lotfi lokman, terengganu, malaysia and makkah on Sunday 11 November 2007 at 13:00 UAE time


for me, you are a model to all muslims in the world. i'm very proud of your successful history in the word. Not all man can be listed as richest man in the world except to whom that really hardworking and spent less to relaxing. Mabruk alaikum!~

Business Opportunity
Posted by Sunil Roy, Sydney, Australia on Monday 4 June 2007 at 12:00 UAE time


I am a small businessman in Aust and have 2 business proposals that will benefit greatly. One to setup Shariah compliant loans in Aust and also the ability to export fine spring bottled water.  
Appreciate feedback. 
Thank you

I am interior designer with 15 years experince .
Posted by Johanna, Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday 22 May 2007 at 13:45 UAE time


I have few business's idea , i would like to meet prince Alwaleed in personal , Thank you , Johanna

what about plan to help youth ?
Posted by Mohamed, dissouk, egypt on Monday 14 May 2007 at 19:14 UAE time


Mr waleed , there are young people in our arab region has their plan for invest money but they have can't feel the dangerous of have money from the bank ,  
 
i think you can make a company for giving youth money as machine or experience to make their plan all of this will under authority of you  
 
and all of this project will owned for you and after fixed times year or 2 years when he can show that he is a good man in mangment and he can make more expanded in the project , then he will have a percentage from the company as owner  
 
thnaks

Scottish Investment
Posted by Roderick MacSween, Stornoway, Scotland on Monday 14 May 2007 at 11:58 UAE time


As one who spent 24 years in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia employed by Saudi Aramco and now back in Scottish Islands would HRH consider investing in this fair country. He would of course be following in the footsteps of the Ruler of Dubai!

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