Capitalizing Efficiency

Nasser Bin Khaled (NBK) Holding has been one of Qatar’s most accomplished and entrepreneurial companies over the past 60 years. What strategies and vision have contributed to this success?

From the very outset, NBK Holding has been as much about supporting Qatari society as it has been about business and entrepreneurship. I believe that this, more than anything else, has been responsible for our long-term success. We have capitalized efficiently on our business advantages, too. We had the first-mover advantage in many of the industries we entered because NBK’s corporate leadership has made it a priority to spot opportunities early and foray into new markets. Then there’s the fact that the NBK brand has always been recognized for outstanding customer service across all subsidiaries. Even today, we understand that our future successes will only be possible with the support of the people and the loyalty of our Qatari and expatriate clientele. That’s why we continue to make it a corporate priority to support the people, in particular the youth of the nation.

The GCC’s automobile sector is seeing double-digit growth and Qatar is no exception. How will you meet this heavy demand going forward?

Our projections do indeed show strong growth in the automobile sector in the years to come. We have constantly been working to ramp up our operations on the automotive front, with a planned multi-phase program already underway to stay ahead of demand. One of the crucial areas for us is after-sales service, because it is a key driver of customer satisfaction. When customers purchase a Mercedes-Benz, a Mitsubishi, or one of our more specialized offerings, they expect and deserve the efficient and hassle-free aftersales experience that they have come to expect from NBK brands. So, on the one hand we are actively increasing capacity, while on the other planning new and bigger aftersales centers to serve the market adequately and keep our customers satisfied.

How will your construction, real estate, and tourism businesses take advantage of the opportunities offered by the 2022 FIFA World Cup?

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is a huge triumph for Qatar on the world stage, and I believe it to be an equally big opportunity for Qatari businesses. I see it as the collective responsibility of the business community to represent Qatar well when the world’s eyes are on us. It is self-evident that as we approach the date there will be a sharp increase in demand for a wide range of real estate and tourism services, and NBK is poised to take advantage. We are already working on strategic long-term initiatives to prepare NBK Contracting Companies, NBK Real Estate, and NBK Travel & Tourism for the inevitable spike in demand in the years to come. From my perspective however, the opportunity goes far beyond 2022. The advances and improvements that we make with the World Cup in mind will serve as an excellent launch pad for growth in future years as Qatar continues to become a global force to be reckoned with.

Together, NBK’s lines of business cover many sectors of the economy. Where do you expect to see the strongest growth over the coming years?

With Qatar’s economy showing excellent growth year after year, I’m happy to say that we expect all areas of our business to post strong numbers in the foreseeable future. With planned increases in the population of the skilled expatriate workforce, I see plenty of business opportunities all around. That being said, I am confident that our core automotive businesses will continue to show robust growth. Real estate and construction are expected to be equally strong performers, thanks to the many building and infrastructure projects in the pipeline. And with Qatar Tourism Authority taking steps to enhance Brand Qatar on the world stage, I believe many new opportunities will open up in the travel and tourism sector very soon.

NBK has been a well-diversified holding company since early in its history. How do its ambitions contribute to the diversification of Qatar’s economy?

NBK is a proud Qatari company and our long-term plans have always been aligned with the vision of the nation’s leadership for a strong, sustainable economy. Increasingly, the focus of the government has been shifting toward developing the non-hydrocarbon sector, which has set up a happy cyclical synergy for NBK Holding. On the one hand, our extensive non-hydrocarbon businesses have benefited from conducive government policies; and on the other, our diversified business portfolio is representative of exactly what the government has been trying to achieve. Going into the future, NBK’s ambitions remain firmly rooted in the non-oil and gas sectors. We are very happy to be leading the charge toward a diversified, knowledge-based Qatari economy that our leaders have envisioned.

Going forward toward 2030, how will NBK grow with Qatar towards the National Vision?

Under the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has been set upon a course of growth and progress. Qatar National Vision 2030 unites us all with a common purpose and hope for the future of our nation. At NBK, every important decision we take for the future is held up to the National Vision 2030 before being implemented. By the very act of enterprise we contribute to the economic pillar of the vision. Having always been a people and society centric organization, our philosophy is naturally aligned with the social and human development pillars. Last but not least, NBK has always been very conscientious about leaving a happy, healthy planet for future generations, which is also the environmental development pillar of QNV 2030. The values of NBK Holding have always been deeply rooted in Qatari society and culture. Even as we continue to expand our operations and grow as an organization toward 2030 and beyond, this key facet of our identity will always remain true.

© The Business Year – December 2013