An interview with H.E. Mr. Zulfiquar Ghadiyali
As Managing Director of the Royal Diamond Group, under the Chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Khaled bin Ahmed Al Hamed, H.E. Mr. Zulfiquar Ghadiyali is an inspiring individual who wears many hats. He hails from a 3rd Generation of a successful Real Estate and Industrial conglomerate family from Mumbai, India known as Lokhandwala Group and is a pioneer on various social and political initiatives.
H.E. Ghadiyali is Swiss Graduate in Hospitality and MBA from Cornell University, USA in International Business. H.E. Ghadiyali represents industry and society at large and has been pioneer on various social and political initiatives and commands several important positions across sectors.
His business spans from the Indian sub continent to MENA, South east Asia and South to North America in various fields of Finance, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Hospitality etc.
H.E. Ghadiyali is an important shareholder at Encanto Potash Corporations, Toronto stock exchange listed entity with Mining reserves worth more than 160 Billion Dollars”. He is also an Ambassador at large for India with the United Refugees and Green Council which works for the upliftment of refugees acrioss the world and supports Sustainable development.
In the UAE, he plays a crucial role at The Royal Diamond Group, under the Chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Khaled bin Ahmed Al Hamed. The Group is among one of the leading business conglomerates incorporated in Abu Dhabi that initiates joint ventures and business partnerships.
Tell us about your various businesses under Royal Diamond Group and under Sheikh Khalifa’s Private office and what inspired you to get into these industries?
Sheikh Khalifa’s Private office and Royal Diamond Group is a diversified business group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE that provides indigenous support to companies that wish to set up their Manufacturing, Retail, Trading or Representation office. The Royal office provides LLC Sponsorship for setting up Local Limited liability company which can assist companies participate in business ventures with government and private companies in UAE under the direct guidance of H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Khaled bin Ahmed Al Hamed. We operate in the Middle East, Asian and African Markets, maintaining business relationships with International consultants, industry experts and partners in over 120 countries throughout the MENA, South Asia and APAC regions.
Our Strategic Business Unit’s specialize in the following Key areas:
- Oil and Gas
- Advanced Technologies and System Integration
- Management Consultancy and Business Management
- Events Management/ Marketing and Media.
- Defense and Security
- Investment Structuring and Advisory
- Infrastructure Development and Design Consultancy / Architecture
How does a typical day look like when you get up?
The day is scheduled based on requirements from our clients throughout the region. It is about meetings with companies and businesses from across the world who visit us to explore potential business synergies. Often there are travels and visits to clients’ home country to inspect and understand their business and organization. Hence, some days are days filled with inbound or outbound travel plus meetings are programmed accordingly.
What has been your most memorable experience during your career as you help set up other businesses and initiate collaborations?
My most memorable experiences are many as I am a very instinctive and an emotional leader of my organization. I have gone out of my way to ensure clients companies are serviced way beyond just being a sponsored company. We are beyond just being a namesake local sponsor. We put our skin in the game and put all our intelligence and relationship to optimum utilization to ensure the companies benefit in the best possible ways. I have been fortunate enough to have had many such instances when we have done things least expected by our companies and that feeling of appreciation and satisfaction is the most important part of my life that I cherish the most. Now, almost a decade down the line, I feel, it is all worth it. All the pain and effort is all part of that list of most cherished memories.
We value professional integrity and honesty as one of our greatest assets, which helps cement long-term partnerships. The management and staff of the Royal Diamond Group has dedicated themselves to their esteemed clients through the delivery of superior service as well as innovative, adaptive and reliable corporate and enterprise solutions, This facilitates easy business setup solutions and also helps us develop a lasting bond with our clients.
What in your opinion would be the most valuable and useful advice you would give to your team?
Stay honest and keep your existing customers happy. Focus on retaining relationships, groom your consultants and partners into different businesses and embrace integrity in every sphere of work. Exceed the expectations of customers by giving them unparalleled experience.
What are the improvements and plans for the Royal Diamond Group under your leadership?
We constantly thrive on retaining our customers through long lasting relationships and are currently focused into growing different businesses by providing unique sponsorship opportunities. Our aim is to transform the UAE into a jewel of the desert; a task that can only be possible by successful joint business ventures representing a synergy of innovation and diversity.
Are you in different Emirates or planning to expand?
Physical offices do not necessarily help in expansion. We are primarily based in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai besides having presence in India, China, Canada, We have presence in almost 125 countries through channel partner networks. We wish to expand to various geographies and are actively looking at a much deeper penetration in order to attract investments and innovations into UAE. That’s the reason why I am strategically positioned to cater to the companies from emerging Markets of South and Far East Asia, besides looking after global relations.
Where you want to see yourself or your companies in 10 years from now?
We wish to be the most valuable regional partner for entrepreneurs and corporations from all around the world with our unparalleled vision and approach. We wish to build on our value added services and create more sync between global trends and regional sensibilities. That’s the defining factor. That is where we wish to be. That would position us at the highest level of being the most successful business groups in the region. If any opportunity prevails to further my positioning, I will be more than happy to embrace it.
In terms of preference, RDG would further like to diversify and cater to Mining, IT and Automation, Defense and Security sectors.
What would be your advise to the budding entrepreneurs or startups?
Perseverance is key. Practice makes a man perfect. Realize your inner strengths and capitalize on it while building on your acquired attributes. Be honest to yourself. Set goals and work towards achieving them. Plan your achievements and aim for the highest goals in life. Be a visionary and be willing to take risks.
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