Ramez Al-Khayyat
"To add value to the society for a better lifestyle."
About Ramez Al-Khayyat
Ramez Al-Khayyat is a Qatari businessman based in Doha. He is a second-generation entrepreneur with years of executive experience with his family’s contracting company, a hands-on mentality and eye for detail. He has grown his group of companies into a diverse business conglomerate and employs over 60,000 experts and tradesmen worldwide.
Ramez is Vice Chairman and President of Power International Holding, a portfolio of sustainable, innovative, and successful businesses across different sectors, building value and contributing to the development of economies worldwide, in countries such as Qatar, Europe, U.K., Turkey, Oman and the Maldives.
Five Sectors of Excellence:
Energy, Concession, and Construction
Services & Industries
Agriculture & Food Industries
Real Estate Development
Lifestyle, Hospitality & Entertainment
Ramez Al-Khayyat's Biography
Al-Khayyat’s father, Mohamad Raslan Al-Khayyat, founded Al Khayyat Contracting and Trading in 1983. The company, a Grade A contractor, undertook several large and complex projects in different regions ranging from heavy construction, infrastructure, industrial facilities, mixed-use development, hospitality and residential.
Ramez has a BA (Hons) in Global Business from the University of the West of Scotland, and started his career as a Board Member for Al Khayyat Contracting and Trading, working to expand and develop the company during his time there.
In 2011, he and his brothers, Moutaz Al-Khayyat, and Mohamad Al-Khayyat, founded Urbacon Trading & Contracting (UCC) in Qatar as second-generation owners.
The privately held company is run by Ramez, who has presided over the company as President. UCC has constructed many internationally renowned projects worldwide.
In 2015, Ramez received recognition from The Socrates Committee in Oxford UK as “Manager of the year”, simultaneously recognizing UCC as one of the “Best Enterprises” in the field of construction in Qatar.
Ramez received the Retail Leadership Award at the 2016 Asia Retail Congress for the success of the Mall of Qatar project.
In 2019, UCC won ENR’s Global Best Project award for the Doha South Sewage Infrastructure project in the wastewater category. UCC was one of the contractors of the project.
Through Power International Holding, Ramez co-owns and manages a multitude of companies, operating in General Contracting, Industries & Services, Agriculture & Food Industries, Real Estate, Lifestyle, and Services. The companies have grown horizontally by the creation of many affiliated companies; operating worldwide in regions and countries such as Qatar, Europe, U.K., Turkey, Oman and the Maldives, with future plans for expansion.
In April 2022, Ramez was appointed Vice Chairman of Investment Holding Group (IHG) following its reverse acquisition of Elegancia Group. The reverse acquisition – the first of its kind in Qatar – marked the creation of one of the country’s largest conglomerates on the Qatar Stock Exchange. The business operates across five key sectors – healthcare, professional services, contracting, industries, and ventures, and trades under Estithmar Holding QPSC.
Giving Back
Ramez Al-Khayyat supports a range of philanthropic endeavours across the Middle East and the rest of the world, with a particular focus on youth development and empowerment. He funds suitable projects through his UK-registered foundation, The Ramez Al-Khayyat Foundation (RAKF).
RAKF supports reputable grant making foundations, funding impactful educational and youth development programmes across Qatar and other countries.
Through his diverse group of companies, Ramez Al-Khayyat encourages many positive initiatives, with the aim of adding value to society in the region and beyond.
Baladna Park hosted the World Cancer Day 2019 event organised by the Qatar Cancer Society, joining hands with nations across the globe to raise cancer awareness and work to make it a priority.
Speaking on World Cancer Day 2019, Ramez Al-Khayyat said:
“As one of the founders of Baladna Food Industries, we are always committed to providing safe and healthy food for a better life.”
Ensuring the opportunity of education for all is a passion for the Al-Khayyat family, and so Baladna Food Industries was proud to be the sponsor of Qatar’s Education Conference 2019 held at the Qatar National Centre.
The company has been a regular supporter of football, promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports. From 2013 to 2016, UCC signed a 3-year contract as the sponsor of Al Rayyan football team, and from 2017 to 2019, a 2-year contract as the sponsor of Al Sailiya football team.
From 2018 to 2019, UCC sponsored Albacete Balompié football team in Spain.
And now, Baladna is the main sponsor of Al Rayyan Football team, signing off a 2-year contract. The football sponsorships are part of the company’s social responsibility, that in turn will contribute to promoting the sports industry in Qatar.
Companies across the Power International Holding portfolio, regularly take part in blood donation drives.
Ramez Al-Khayyat was honoured that Baladna was chosen to receive the Social Responsibility Award 2017 at the Conference on Social Responsibility and Awards in Doha, in recognition of the company’s leading contribution to sustainable development in Qatar.
