Dubai: Tiger Properties, established in 1976 by Syrian engineer Waleed Mohammad Taha, has 60 projects in various stages of development, and is set to become a global entity as it seeks to expand globally.
"We are planning to expand in international markets that will transform Tiger Group into a global entity," Taha, who is the chairman of Tiger Group - a conglomerate of nearly a dozen companies - told Gulf News in an exclusive interview.
The company has already delivered 120 projects in Dubai, and Sharjah. The portfolio value of these projects could be in billions of dirhams.
"Together, we have 180 projects in our portfolio," Taha said.
The group, which employs more than 4,000 employees, is in the process of a reorganisation and re-branding exercise.
"It is likely to be brought under a holding company," he said.
Despite such a high degree of success, Tiger Group, whose flagship company Tiger Properties, is building a major master-planned development in Ajman, has remained a silent player in the market.
"We have maintained a low-profile in the market over the years. We do not over-promise the customers. Our core focus is to do things the right way," Taha said.
Over the last 32 years, the group has ventured into real estate, construction, industries, interiors, furnitures and education.
"We have a number of companies operating in various fields, such as Tiger Contracting looking after construction, Tiger Industries engaged in industrial activities, Dubai Link Tours engaged in tourism and ground handling, Dana Hotel Management involved in hotel management," he said.
"We are now in the process of creating a holding company to better manage the entities and create a cross-organisational synergy for the group."
In the construction industry, the company owns a ready-mix concrete factory, a wood factory, steel and aluminum workshop, a furniture and interiors factory.
"We have almost 95 per cent of the construction materials and industries in-house. That gives us the extra leverage on the projects that we handle and helps us to manage construction more efficiently and deliver them in time," Taha said.
The company is also rolling out a hotel chain under Samaya Hotels and Resorts which will develop three hotels.
The group also owns Al Durra Contracting Company. In Syria, the company owns and operates Yarmouk University which is grooming 4,000 students spread across 22 colleges.
"In Syria, we have established a real estate fund to spearhead development projects and identify opportunities that will help the Syrian economy," Taha said.
"However, our investment in the education sector is to help develop human capital that will eventually contribute to the regional economy which is growing fast and is in need of more skilled manpower."
By the end of 2008, Tiger Group will deliver 11 towers to buyers.
These include two leasehold towers, one freehold, five developed for renting and one for hotel apartments.
Recently, the company completed the 51st floor of Marina Pinnacle - a tower that is to rise 76 floors.
The company is developing Canal Star near Qanat Al Qasba in Sharjah. It is also building Sondos - a 50-storeyed tower in Sharjah.
