Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar says his decision to pursue projects in different countries is driven not only by business interests but also by his sense of duty as a Muslim to contribute using his knowledge, experience and resources.
Speaking in an interview with MMTV about the proposed Maldives Waterfront and Marina project, Alabbar said he had spent nearly three decades in business and had undertaken projects worth around $450 billion.
“Alhamdulillah, God has been very kind to me,” he said, reflecting on his career and business achievements.
Alabbar said he no longer needed to continue doing business for financial reasons but felt a responsibility to share his knowledge, capabilities, team and capital with others.
“I think I have a duty as a Muslim, as an Arab, that I need to go and contribute with all my knowledge, with all of my capability and my team members and my capital,” he said.
He stressed that his vision extended beyond real estate development, highlighting job creation, training local workers, providing better salaries and creating opportunities for local contractors, architects and suppliers.
Alabbar also said using local banks and keeping project funds in the Maldives would reflect the company’s integrity and commitment to the local economy.
He added that developers should contribute to the communities in which they operate, describing the use of local businesses and the hiring of local workers as matters of ethics and personal integrity rather than simply legal obligations.
