JASSIM M. AL-BAHAR Chairman and MD of International Financial Advisors

NOBODY has ever seen anything quite like The Palm, Jumeirah before. A man-made island offshore Dubai containing premium hotels and luxurious developments, it has escaped the constraints of earth’s natural terrain to create a resort that few could even imagine. Such an adventurous, ambitious, and high profile project is typical of its largest investor, Kuwait’s investment powerhouse, International Financial Advisors (IFA).

IFA has a long history of success in providing borrowing and lending services, offering financial advice, trading securities, and managing investment portfolios. Since becoming Chairman and Managing Director in 2002, Jassim M. Al-Bahar has expanded the company’s activities, particularly increasing its focus on property investments and hotel and resort developments.

Its subsidiary, IFA Hotels and Resorts, is now at the forefront of tourism based real estate developments in the Middle East, Europe, the Indian Ocean, and Africa. The super-premium Sheraton Algarve Hotel in Portugal, the stunning Zimbali Coastal Resort in South Africa, and the exotic Zanzibar Beach Hotel and Resort are further examples of IFA’s leading ventures.

“In property, we go after quality investments, creating long-lasting value,” says Mr. Al-Bahar. Regarding IFA’s ability to deliver products that stand out on the market, the head of IFA emphasizes the company’s worldwide network of alliances. “The key element in our operations is the forging of international strategic alliances. We bring our expertise, but we always need a strong local partner with knowledge of the area.”

Listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of over $1 billion and plans to be listed in Johannesburg and eventually London, IFA is well positioned to continue its global expansion.

Mr. Al-Bahar believes IFA is building upon Kuwait’s entrepreneurial tradition. “The people of Kuwait have always been pioneers. They had the vision and courage to go and seek worldwide opportunities without navigation charts. Today it is the investors’ and bankers’ turn to explore the world for business openings,” he says.