About
Al Rostamani Group
About Al Rostamani Group
Founded by Abdulla Hassan Al Rostamani in the early 1950’s, Al Rostamani Group is a leading UAE family business conglomerate, guided by its core values of commitment, care, and vision.
With a legacy spanning over six decades, the group is one of the earliest established and most prominent companies in the country. It is renowned for its unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation across a range of diverse industries.
Al Rostamani Group’s businesses operate in the automotive, general trading, real estate and construction, solar energy, financial services, travel and tourism, and technology solutions industries.
As the Group continues to expand and diversify its offerings, it remains steadfast in its commitment to its core values, cementing its position as a responsible and visionary business leader in the region and beyond.
Vision
To set the standard for exceptional performance, integrity, and sustainable growth, and to be the partner of choice for international, regional, and reputable companies.
Mission
Creating long-term value for partners and stakeholders while making a positive impact in the communities we serve. As a successful and respected diversified conglomerate, we aim to continue leading in every industry and sector we operate in.
Our Values
We are committed to excellence, ethics, and integrity in all aspects of our businesses. We value our employees’ welfare, partner satisfaction, the communities we serve, while operating and growing in a sustainable manner.
Commitment
We embody commitment in all that we do, fostering a culture of excellence, determination, and continuous improvement. Our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity has always guided our actions and enabled us to achieve success and continue to build our legacy.
Care
We believe in a balanced approach to prosperity. Creating sustainable financial growth comes hand-in-hand with nurturing our employees, partners, and community.
Vision
We take a long-term visionary approach to our business, striving to be resilient and forward thinking in our decision-making. We are explorative and dynamic, always seeking new opportunities and partnerships that align with our values.
Group History
1954
Abdulla Hassan Al Rostamani embarked on his entrepreneurial journey by establishing the Al-Ahliya bookshop and running it alongside his brother Abdul Wahid. It is considered to be Dubai’s first modern bookstore that offered a variety of publications.
1957
Recognizing the potential of a fast-growing local economy, our late founder Abdulla Hassan Al Rostamani established Central Trading Company (CTC). It quickly gained recognition by introducing prominent brands such as Castrol, Michelin, ACDelco and Bluestar to the UAE
Know More
1972
The establishment of the UAE federation in 1971 was a milestone for the people and the nation, with opportunities arising and aspirations driving the country’s infrastructure. The need for reliable logistics solutions gave birth to United Diesel (UD),
Know More
1977
The UAE’s early years saw a growing demand for sustainable electricity production and distribution across the expanding boundaries of the cities. The Group continued to expand its influence in supporting this economic demand by establishing Emirates Electrical Engineering
Know More
1979
In 1979, the Al Rostamani Group embarked on significant ventures that further propelled its growth trajectory. Of these ventures was the establishment of Thomas Cook Al Rostamani Travel, as a joint venture with Thomas Cook, the oldest UK
Know More
1999
The establishment of Al Rostamani Pegel (ARP), through a joint venture with Gustav Pegel & Sohn, a 145-year-old German construction company based in Berlin, proved to be a timely move for the group. It positioned the group as
Know More
2002
The group’s influence in the automotive sector extended further with their instrumental role in bringing one of Japan’s largest automobile brands, Suzuki, to the UAE. Al Rostamani Trading Company (ARTC) emerged as the official distributor and after-sales agency
Know More
2005
Continuing its growth trajectory, the group added another prestigious brand to its portfolio in 2005 under Al Rostamani Trading Company, Citroën, the trendy famous French car brand. This strategic move further diversified their offerings and strengthened their position
Know More
2006
Building upon the historic backdrop of our founder’s ambitious 1977 project, the Al Rostamani Twin Towers, which stood as a symbol of progress on Sheikh Zayed Road, Abdulla Al Rostamani Properties (AARP) formation in 2006 marked the formalization
Know More
In Our Founder's Words
“We knew little of the world beyond our sandy shores and clear blue waters. The world knew even less of us, the people of the Arabian Gulf. Who would have dreamed that things could change so dramatically?
When I look back at our humble beginnings, I can hardly believe our business and our country have come so far, so fast. I was only 15 years old when i began working as a clerk. At that time, some of my countrymen still made a living from pearl diving. Life was simple; our needs were few.
Nobody knew then what lay in store, the development of our vast oil resources, the birth of a nation, the building of our infrastructure, the swift growth of our economy. This bright future was yet to unfold when, in 1954, my brother and I established the Al-Ahliya Library, Dubai’s first bookshop. It was also our first undertaking as entrepreneurs. Several years later, we started a general trading company that would eventually become Al Rostamani Group.
Business increased steadily, with the growth of Dubai and other emirates, throughout the 1960s. With the founding of the federation in 1971, commercial opportunities exploded. Under the guidance of insightful leaders, the UAE was transformed seemingly overnight, into a powerful economic center of worldwide significance.
As in the past, Al Rostamani Group will participate in furthering the development of Dubai and UAE. We also see promise beyond our national borders. One of our major objectives is to pursue opportunities both regionally and globally. We look forward to doing so with new, as well as existing partners. We have come a long way since the days when pearl diving was one of the mainstays of our economy. Now, in the new Millennium, the world is our oyster.”
Late Abdulla Hassan Al Rostamani – Founder of Al Rostamani Group
Leadership
Marwan Abdulla
Al Rostamani
Chairman
Al Rostamani Group
Hassan Abdulla
Al Rostamani
Vice Chairman
Al Rostamani Group
Executive Team
Mazen Dalati
Chief Executive Officer
Al Rostamani Group
Alaa Almunayer
Chief Audit Officer
Al Rostamani Group
Endre Frankl
Chief Financial Officer
Al Rostamani Group
George Rabahie
Chief Legal Officer
Al Rostamani Group
Hilmi Rifai
Chief Technology Officer
Al Rostamani Group
Abdulrahman Saqr
Chief Transformation Officer
Chief Human Capital Officer
Al Rostamani Group
Company Management
Vilas Achuthankutty
General Manager
Al Rostamani International Exchange
Hatham Badry Al Ani
General Manager
Abdulla Al Rostamani Properties
Mohammed Aqel
General Manager
Central Trading Company
Sacha Askidjian
General Manager
Al Rostamani Trading Company
Youssef Fawaz
General Manager
Al Rostamani Communications
Bimal Jain
General Manager
Al Rostamani Travel and Holidays
Prabash Manthara
General Manager
Emirates Electrical Engineering
David Sawiras
General Manager
United Diesel
Chairman’s Message
Chairman’s Message
Chairman’s Message
Chairman’s Message
As we reflect upon the remarkable history of the Al Rostamani Group, it is imperative to pay homage to the visionary founder who laid the first stone for our success: Abdullah Hassan Al Rostamani.
Our late founder’s unwavering commitment to hard work, innovation, and excellence served as the catalyst for our company’s growth and diversification. From our origins in trade to our expansion into diverse fields including automotive, real estate, IT, travel, solar energy and finance, our growth narrative unfolds as a compelling story of adaptation, innovation, and forward thinking. His leadership imparted invaluable lessons, teaching us the significance of embracing change as part of growth and pursuing opportunities with resilience.
Today, as the current Chairman of the Al Rostamani Group, I am committed to preserving his legacy and also forging a new path forward. Our story is one of resilience and innovation, and we remain dedicated to fostering relationships built on trust and mutual respect.
The Al Rostamani Group remains on a transformative path toward growth, and our ambition is to continue to lead, inspire, and innovate. As we set our sights on the future, we are invigorated by the possibilities that await us, driving our growth and making a positive contribution to the world around us.
Finally, I would like to thank all our stakeholders including our customers, partners, employees and I invite each of you to be part of our journey. Engage us with your thoughts, ideas, and aspirations as we set our sights on the future. Together, let us explore new frontiers, create enduring value, and build a future that is prosperous and sustainable for all.
Marwan Abdullah Al Rostamani
Group Chairman