Anticipate and act: Ghassan Aboud on leading from the top

UAE-based billionaire businessman Ghassan Aboud has operations across the world. And despite daunting economic conditions, his eponymous group is continuing to expand and looking at new sectors. Speaking to Gulf Business, he says the key to success is to remain alert and seek the hidden opportunities, while remaining focused on the details

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How has 2019 and the last decade been for your business and what do you anticipate going into 2020?

During 2019 we continued with our investment plans in the areas of hospitality, retail and logistics. The last decade has been eventful with initial years of recovery from the financial crisis and later on, adverse economic conditions that haven’t seen a full recovery. At our group we have been diversifying our investment portfolio into a few strategic sectors.

In 2020 we aim to continue with these plans, while closely watching regional and global economic factors.

Geo-politics, trade disruptions and a slowing global economy are all casting a dark cloud on businesses – especially those engaged in cross border operations such as Ghassan Aboud Group (GAG). Are you seeing any major impact? How do you deal with such issues?

These are typically the uncertainties that are beyond the control of any business. And we have to deal with them as efficiently as possible. Of course the impact on business is substantial, but it makes us more alert to opportunities. At GAG we try to stay close to our customers and markets – to anticipate and understand changes and disruptions. And act promptly.