A daughter pays tribute to the torchbearer of a successful business

Dubai: Raja Al Gurg, a prominent Emirati businesswoman, believes that despite all the challenges and obstacles that the people of the UAE were facing before the union, the goals and ambitions toward development were strong.

Recalling the history of the UAE through the memories of her father, Easa Saleh Al Gurg, founder of the business group, Raja said: “The challenges my father faced were numerous, but it was a generation that believed in their goals and worked with a strong sense of ethics and loyalty to the nation. These principles still endure within the group.”

Raja is managing director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group (ESAG), a family business comprising 23 divisions that deal in trading, manufacturing, retail, franchise and real estate. Raja joined the group in 1989 as a member of the board of directors. Currently she looks after the day-to-day operations and expansion of the business.

Comparing the growth of the UAE with that of the company, she said: “As a group we have seen the economy transform from early times of sandy roads and limited communications to a vibrant, bustling nation that attracts international businesses and global investment.”

The forward-thinking, stable policies of the government have meant that the country enjoys an excellent image abroad and is rated better than most of the developed countries in terms of encouraging business development, Raja said.

What do you remember about the formative days of the UAE — the 1970s? How was business then? What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?

I first recall the memories of my father Easa Saleh Al Gurg who worked closely with the founding fathers to fulfil the vision of a modern nation that stays true to Islamic ideals.

The Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group is more than 50 years old now and many of our milestones are associated with the progress of the nation over the past 41 years.

From setting up the first traffic light in Dubai at Al Maktoum Street to signing our agreement with Grundig, there have been many such achievements.

The challenges my father faced were numerous, but it was a generation that believed in their goals and worked with a strong sense of ethics and loyalty to the nation. These principles still endure within the group.

What was the most memorable event in your business career over the last four decades?

The first desalination plant in Dubai located in Jebel Ali, which was a project by one of our companies, Scientechnic, was a milestone in our business. Moreover, during the Gulf War our business operations continued with the same dynamism. We were equally resilient during the property sector downturn. Our real estate division continued to provide the same levels of service and commitment to our clients and end customers during the same period.

As business grew and the environment changed, how did you change your organisation and business to adapt to the changes?

We started in Dubai in 1960 as a trading company and today there is no business sector or geographical market that we are not involved in. Embracing change and moving forward has been an essential part of our growth strategy. As a group we have seen the economy transform from early times of sandy roads and limited communications to a vibrant, bustling nation that attracts international businesses and global investment. Over the years we have adopted industry-leading best practices that have created value for our customers and brand partners.

We are the first group in the GCC region to have an in-house bank.

What are the major contributing factors to the success of your business? How did the UAE’s overall progress compliment the growth of your business?

Over the decades our group has built a diversified portfolio of complementary businesses and partnerships that are reflective of our values and quality management. We adopt a strategy of sustainable, organic growth in our core areas of strength.

ESAG’s business practices are anchored on loyalty, transparency and honesty. These core values have been upheld over the past 50 years and today are discernible in the group’s relationships with its principals, industry partners, employees and customers.

Now that the UAE has achieved such a huge success, do did your business – how do you see the country’s overall progress in economy?

The UAE’s good management and strong persistence in facing the tough global economic conditions has been a major morale booster for the business community. The importance of positivity and continuing to perform in challenging circumstances is a good model for businesses, investors to emulate in the face of adversity.

The forward-thinking, stable policies of the government have meant that the country enjoys an excellent image abroad and is rated better than most of the developed countries in terms of encouraging business development.

What are the challenges and opportunities?

We are constantly seeking sustainable ways to diversify our portfolio, both from a market and product perspective. We are in the process of consolidating our position as a trading conglomerate that goes beyond partnerships to propagating symbiotic ESAG product brands and businesses.