Ali Suleym Al Junaibi is using his wide experience in the government and private sectors to make a meaningful contribution to society at large. Malcolm Xavier Crasta reports
Ali Suleym Al Junaibi, now aged 41, hails from the Wilayat of Duqm in the Al Wusta Region. In his early years he aspired to be a police officer. Despite such aspirations, his first job opportunity came in the form of an administrative clerk in the Ministry of Health. Although it wasn't what he initially desired, this post enabled him to develop his skills and capabilities. It even helped him to learn and master the English language before moving to Royal Hospital, where he got a job as an assistant administrative officer.
Soon after in 1987, he was chosen as an administrative officer at the Haima Hospital in the central region. Although he was only 18 years of age at the time, he effectively managed a cadre of doctors and nurses of more than 40 members. He served for 22 years in the government and then turned to serving the nation through the private sector. He looked at starting his own company, so that he could apply his own ideas for the development of the society.
Entrepreneurial streak
His decision to resign from his government position and concentrate on developing a self sufficient company in the oil and gas field, proved to be a turning point in his career. The company, called 'Al-ghalbi Trading and Contracting', started with less than five employees in 1998 in a small rented building. Today, it employs more than 500 employees, with a very good Omanisation percentage. The company got an ISO 9001:2000 certification in 2003 and recently renewed it with an ISO 9001:2008. It changed to an international setup, both by changing the name to Al-ghalbi International Engineering and Contracting and by adopting and implementing international methodologies and standards. The company has successfully completed ministry contracts and prestigious orders from various multinational companies. It currently has contracts from the Ministry of Finance, PDO, Occidental Mukhaizna, ORPC etc.
Leisure pursuits
Apart from work Ali's main interests include travelling, both domestic and international. He uses travelling as an excuse for monitoring business developments and opportunities. He has travelled throughout the Sultanate by road and has visited Australia, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Egypt, India, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh and nearly every major country in the Middle East. "I like to travel outside Oman to discover new business ventures. I regularly meet with international business heads to share ideas and jointly expand the scope of our business," says Ali. Even during weekends, one will normally find him driving to the interiors to meet his employees and client representative. While there, he also makes it a point to visit his friends. A firm believer and practitioner of charity, Ali always takes the initiative to provide assistance. These include educational assistance, help in building houses, assistance for treatments and more. In spite of all that he does and his busy schedule, he gives importance to his family life, spending as much time with them as possible and sparing good hours for his family, by properly managing his travel and official plans. According to him, the most important quality for success is to be fair at work. He adds, "If we have a fair mind to work, all things will come our way, including concentration, sincerity, quality etc."
Places visited: Australia, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Egypt, India, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh
Spends his free time: Watching news or reading newspapers and business magazines
© Oman Economic Review 2010
