Alargan CEO talks about sustainability and growth

KUWAIT: Speaking at the second Dal Talks held at Al-Shaheed Park on Saturday, ALARGAN International Real Estate Company CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Khaled Al-Meshaan, emphasized on the notion of sustainability in career, entrepreneurship and business to drive long-term growth. He further highlighted the importance of quality, building on strengths and evolving over time to remain competitive.

Sharing a panel with speakers comprising Global Investment House Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Maha Al-Ghunaim, Al-Meshaan shared his story of the evolution of ALARGAN, a story interlaced with his personal growth in the professional world.

Al-Meshaan said: "It all starts with a single idea; what market need does it target and what challenges does it attract. We all start small somewhere and grow bigger by focusing on our strengths, which can be revealed with time. Therefore, it is important to focus on what we are doing and do it better, as well as evaluate the idea over time."

ALARGAN International Real Estate Company was established as a contracting company and has evolved to become a leading developer with fully-owned subsidiaries in the region, executing developments that are sustainable and add value to their communities.

Al-Meshaan said: "Our primary focus at ALARGAN is to add value for the benefit of our society as we follow our motto "Life ...as you love it" through which we develop real estate solutions to enhance our customers' enjoyment of life. Yields will subsequently follow."

Al-Meshaan also affirmed that the success of the company was mainly led by its ability to adapt to changes and to lead innovation. "We study future changes in needs and habits, and challenges coming our way. From there we innovate and evolve."

ALARGAN is today the only company in Kuwait to obtain the Platinum ranking for the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program, which is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). ALARGAN focuses on the development of affordable and middle income housing in the GCC to serve the growing population and changing income scales.

In addition to its future-looking strategy, ALARGAN invests in talents by providing them profit sharing schemes and benefits, a collaborative work environment and sense of belonging. This goes hand-in-hand with the company's heavy investment in corporate social responsibility, a key investment that it recognizes as a pillar to long-term sustainability.

Al-Meshaan concluded his talk with an advice to the younger audience: "Always look ahead and do not get distracted. Think long-term, think sustainable and value. These values make for great entrepreneurship."

Dal Talks is a moderated conference organized by the Kuwait International Law Society at the School of Law at Kuwait University, and is aimed at motivating and inspiring as well as changing the views of its audience. Dal Talks previously hosted Dr Saad Al-Barrak, former CEO of Zain; Ghanim Al-Muftah, the Qatari child wonder diagnosed with Caudal Regression Syndrome at birth; and Faisal Al-Nashmi, Kuwaiti Chef and founder of Al-Makan.

ALARGAN International Real Estate Company is a leading real estate company based in Kuwait and focused on the development of affordable and middle income housing in the GCC. The company strives to integrate its motto, 'Life... As You Love It', across its projects by creating "live, work, play and savor" environments that present a unique lifestyle experience. The company also endeavors to pass on its sustainability values to the community by including green and energy efficient initiatives in its projects. ALARGAN is the only company in Kuwait to obtain the Platinum ranking for the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program, which is awarded by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). ALARGAN follows a balanced investment strategy, and tries to seize opportunities with stable and superior returns based on the market's investment cycle. Its projects are diverse and located across the Gulf region, including the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, delivering popular hotels resorts, widely visited shopping and food destinations, large development communities, and middle income level residential housing.