Arab business icon in Budapest: Al Habtoor talks about supporting young people and his plans for Hungary
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On May 24, a special event took place in Budapest where Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founding chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, shared his life journey, business philosophy, and key messages with members of the Arab community in Hungary. The gathering was hosted at the prestigious Al Habtoor Palace Budapest, and was organized by the Cultural and Social Association of Egyptians in Hungary.
First-of-its-Kind Gathering in Europe
During the opening remarks, two speakers, Ahmed Ibrahim, President of the Egyptian Community Association in Hungary and Ahmed Khalifa, Head of the Trade and Business Committee of the Egyptian Community Association in Hungary emphasized that this was the first Arab community meeting of its kind in Europe—but not the last. The goal, they explained, was to strengthen the identity of Arabs living far from their homelands and to inspire them through the success stories of fellow countrymen.
From Desert to Success – The Story of Al Habtoor
In an inspiring talk, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor recalled his humble beginnings in the desert landscapes of Dubai. Born into a modest family, he said they lacked wealth, but never perseverance.
“Our favorite camel was part of the family. We weren’t starving, but we had little money. What we did have was determination,” he shared.
He began working in customs at the age of 14 and decided early on that he would not remain an employee—he wanted to build his own business.
He attributes his success to hard work, early career discipline, unwavering faith, and consistency. Al Habtoor starts his day at 4 a.m., is at his office by 6:45, and begins leadership meetings at 7:30.
“Trust and loyalty are non-negotiable. Once you embark on the road to success, you must walk it to the end,” he declared.
Hungary: A Key Part of His Vision
Al Habtoor described Hungary as one of Europe’s most beautiful and safest countries. Since his first visit in 2006, he has made several major investments, including the Dorottya Udvar, the Al Habtoor Palace Budapest (formerly Ritz), and the InterContinental Hotel.
He also revealed ambitious ongoing plans, including a development in Törökbálint spanning 440,000 square meters that would include a school, a specialized hospital, and an Arab-style residential complex. According to him, this is only the beginning, as he has “many more ideas in the pipeline.”
He praised the Hungarian government, saying that cooperation with them is seamless, which greatly eases the investment process. He also mentioned that others have followed his lead in bringing capital to Hungary, having heard about his successful ventures.
