MAAN A. AL-SANEA, Chairman of the Saad Group

Initially Founded to undertake building contracts, the Saad Group now has a major presence in a broad range of business and charity ventures. Chairman Maan A. Al-Sanea speaks of the challenges ahead and of the way social values have spurred the group’s growth.

The Saad Group is a national success story. Among its many and diverse business activities, where do you see the best prospects for continued growth and expansion?

The Saad Group employs over 9,000 people in 37 different businesses. In a very short period it has become the seventh largest diversified company in Saudi Arabia and the 23rd largest in the Gulf Region, with a net worth in excess of $5 billion. Founded on two core businesses – trading and contracting, and banking and investments – in the early 90s the company made a conscious decision to diversify into promoting human development through services such as education and healthcare.

Today, Saad’s single largest capital investment in Saudi Arabia is the Saad Specialist Hospital and, without a doubt, the fastest-growing segment in the group is healthcare. Profit is a secondary concern for the human service businesses, and this investment strategy is supported by other well-established Saad ventures.

Saudi Arabia is going through a period of dynamic growth characterized by increased trade and commerce with other countries. How do you see Saudi Arabia’s position on the global playing field developing and what is the Saad Group’s role?

Progress in Saudi Arabia has happened at light speed. We must accept that progress does not mean sacrificing traditions and principles, but rather enshrining our beliefs and values while applying them to new situations. Gradually, organizations like the Saad Group, which operate on a principle of complete transparency, are strengthening ties with the West and breaking down past barriers to cooperation and mutual investment.

More and more, our business leaders are combining the principles and methods of the West with traditional Saudi Arabian principles. We are a youthful nation with timeless values. I am confident we will harness our vitality, as we have in the Saad Group, to build a better tomorrow for our country, strengthen our collaboration and meaningful relations with other countries throughout the world, and in the process, win the admiration of our world contemporaries.