Arab business icon in Budapest: Al Habtoor talks about supporting young people and his plans for Hungary
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.
Message to the Arab Community in Hungary
Al Habtoor delivered a strong message to Arab youth and local communities:
“We must be proud of our Arab roots. The West will only respect us if we respect ourselves.”
He also emphasized the importance of giving back, saying that those with means have an obligation to support the poor—just as the older generation must help youth discover their purpose in life.
Several speakers at the event highlighted the difficulties faced by Arab students in Hungary, who often receive limited scholarships and live under poor conditions. Al Habtoor expressed his concern, stressing the importance of education and youth support. He pledged to review the current scholarship system and find ways to improve their situation.
He also criticized social media, claiming it weakens real human connections. “Let’s spend our time shaping our own destiny instead,” he urged.
Promoting Sports, Culture, and Community Engagement
Al Habtoor recalled that he was behind the launch of Dubai’s first tennis tournaments 27 years ago, and has always viewed himself as a bridge between business, culture, and social responsibility. He intends to bring this philosophy to Hungary as well.
In closing, he encouraged unity and ambition:
“If we come together, we can achieve anything. The success story of the United Arab Emirates proves that.”
Thanks to this event, the Egyptian community organization led by Ahmed Ibrahim will cooperate with Alhabour in Hungary to develop ways to support young Arab students and integrate them into the European labor market, especially in Hungary. This was one of the most significant outcomes of the event, in addition to the fact that many participants had the opportunity to meet Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, their role model, in person.
Read also about Al Habtoor:
Al Habtoor Group presents Al Habtoor Palace Budapest: the new era of luxury hotels in Europe
The biggest investor of the United Arab Emirates to open a regional office in Budapest