Secrets of my success: Sulaiman Al Fahim

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The CEO of Abu Dhabi based Hydra Properties only founded his company two years ago, promising "to be different".

Two years on, it appears that being different has paid off. Hydra has signed over US$2 billion worth of projects, and has become one of the region's fastest growing property companies, with major projects planned in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. And now, the foreign expansion plans are coming to fruition, with a big new project in Mexico just announced.

"You have to do what you believe is right, even if everyone else tells you it is wrong. I said that as a company we would be unique, and everyone said you can't be unique in property development. If you try, you will fail. Well, we are unique and we are successful," says Al Fahim.

He says that apart from hard work, it is vital to know your industry inside out, and not just parts of it. "A lot of people say they want to be property developers but they actually don't know that much about property. They might know a little design, maybe they are good at financials, or maybe they understand the engineering aspects. But I think it is important that you know everything, and that you are very good at it."

Fahim insists that the inside of every single apartment and office he builds is different. "That's what I mean by unique. People told me we couldn't do it because it would be too expensive. We have proved them wrong," he says.

As for the future, Al Fahim says he has only just begun. "This is the first step on the ladder. We have had success and the easiest thing would be to say we have now achieved all our goals. But if you think that way you will become complacent and fail."

There is no danger of either happening to Al Fahim.

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READERS' COMMENTS

rich chairman?
Posted by pete martin, portsmouth, england on Sunday 2 August 2009 at 17:47 UAE time


having supported pompey for 36 years i thought we had seen the end of chairmen who strp our club of our best assets and replace with castoffs,now i am not expecting miracles but i do expect better along with every other die hard blue who parts with their money year after year,and paul hart as manager come on nice guy but the premier is getting tougher and tougher, i think that suliman al fahim mysterous backers had all the big dosh.can i ask what happened to yopu at man city?

Takeover. PFC
Posted by Gavin Foley, Portsmouth, England on Wednesday 15 July 2009 at 00:12 UAE time


It heartening to see that buisness is booming in this current global finacial climate.

-As for Portsmouth as a season ticket holder, all we need is stability this season. Since Harry Rednapp left for Tottenham this something we have not had. However Paul Hart has done an amazing job and got results that Tony Adams wouldnt have with his gun-ho tactics. As for the players the ones left they are still there because they can see our potential are not just there for big wages. We had three international players last year - reguardless what the national press say it can happen to a club like ours.

- So stability! is the key to success.

- Good Manager
- Good players - So not Carlos Tevez or Kaka just yet.
- Stable finances
-Improve facilities - So we are not laughing stock of the Premier league much longer.
-Most Important - good football
- Mid Table would be good.

Pompey
Posted by Glenn Lucas, Portsmouth, England on Thursday 11 June 2009 at 08:10 UAE time


To Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim.
I'm wishing you every success either way if you do or don't take control of my beloved Pompey.
l've supported this football club since l was 10 so 48 years so far, at least 27 years as a seasonticket holder.
As a retired builder due to serious ill health l have worked out many ldeas of how to improve Fratton Park, of course relying on Portsmouth city council doesn't seem to help although Pompey have to come up with the lions share of the money l suppose.
For now a 30,000 capacity is a better idea than our existing 20k.
l obviously don't know what the cost would be but if the ground is turned round then the fratton end should be two teir holding 14 to 16 minimum and the new north stand two teir holding 8 to 12k with the milton end extended to hold 5 to 6k the south stand can stay for the time being l guess holds 4 to 5k. Good luck Dr Al Fahim and thanks.

football
Posted by gareth lunt, manchester, england on Friday 5 September 2008 at 17:08 UAE time

nice one for buying the club,you could not ask for better supporters than city just don't do an abramovich it takes time for a team to gel.

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