Press Releases

Interview of MD of Al Hassan Group published in Glorious Oman 2009 (23 Aug 09)

'Future is going to be even more glorious'

Modern Oman is the story of a dream come true, A dream that the country's beloved leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has realized with the full support of his people, People who have been part of this remarkable journey of peace, progress and prosperity in any way have interesting stories to tell, precious views to share, Maqbool Ali Salman, Managing Director of Al Hassan Group, shares his thoughts on Renaissance, its fruits and why the future of Oman is going to be even more glorious in an interview with Shahzad Raza, Editor – Special Reporting, Times of Oman.

How would you define Renaissance? What does this mean to the people of Oman?
Renaissance to me means all-round development, (3 Ps) progress, prosperity, peace; solidarity, unity and general well being of all Omani nationals during the last four decades.

In a journey of 39 years which are the areas in your view the country has excelled in?
The country has made all-round progress by leaps and bounds in all spheres of economy, education, health care, world-class urban infrastructure, telecommunication, transportation, solid industrial base, trade and industry and attaining self-sufficiency in meeting the ever growing domestic energy needs, broad-basing its economy from totally oil-dependent to a widely spread out industrial economy with the establishment of oil refineries, petrochemical and fertilizer plants, industries such as steel, aluminium, etc.

How has your Group contributed to the progress of Oman?
In our own small way, Al Hassan Group has been a consistent partner in this progress and industrial growth.

As a major local contracting company in Oman, which was established 30 years ago, we have built many power plants, gas processing plants, oil & gas pipelines, water treatment plants singly and in joint venture with international partners.

Al Hassan can justifiably claim to have constructed the most number of power generation plants both for PDO (Mukhaizna, Qarn Alam Phase-l & II, Hubara and Saih Rawl Power Plants) and non-PDO clients like Barka IWPP, Sohar Aluminium Smelter Captive Power Plant (1000 MW largest power plant in Oman).

Al Hassan Contracting also has to its credit being partner with GS Engineering, Korea, in construction of all three petrochemicals plants in Oman - Oman Polypropylene Plant, Aromatics Project Oman and Salalah Methanol Plant.

In the area of manufacturing, Al Hassan has focused on providing highly reliable, cost-competitive electrical switchgear products to cater to the demand of local households, utilities and industrial plants and factories. The success in the local market has spurred us to establish a new manufacturing unit in Buraimi to cater to the regional export market in addition to its first switchgear factory in Ghala.

Al Hassan also distributes a range of electrical products across Oman through its nationwide dealer network. bringing world-class product and technology to the consumers in Oman at affordable rates.

Above all, Al Hassan believes in "People Power"

Hence it has adopted firm policies to attract, train and retain local talent.

It has great faith in the youth of Oman and it ensures that they are taken on board, properly trained and given job responsibilities on merit.

If you are asked to propose two steps that the government should take for the betterment of its people, economy or overall progress what would you suggest?

1. Highest emphasis should be given to quality education at all levels to create a highly skilled technical workforce.
2. High caliber managers should be created through higher education process. English language should be the medium of instruction.

What, in your view, does the future hold for Oman?
Future of Oman under the dynamic leadership of His Majesty the Sultan is going to be glorious with all round development in its human capital, economic growth, peace, prosperity, progress and security to its people. I feel in the next one year, economy will again start its accelerated growth thus benefiting the people and industry.

<< back