Burj Khalifa Builder
Mohamed Alabbar, the founder of Dubai-based Emaar Properties and the man behind the iconic Burj Khalifa, has sparked discussion online after openly praising Indian professionals for their strong work ethic and dedication.
Speaking during the “Make it in the Emirates” business summit held in Abu Dhabi, the Emirati billionaire shared his views on what truly matters when it comes to hiring employees and building successful companies. According to Alabbar, discipline, commitment, and consistent hard work are often more valuable than raw intelligence or talent.
During his speech, Alabbar spoke honestly about his personal philosophy toward success. He said that he does not consider himself exceptionally intelligent, but believes his willingness to work harder than others has played a major role in his achievements.
“I always tell people, from my own perspective, my IQ is average, but my hard work is the best,” he said. “I believe in hard work.”
The businessman especially highlighted Indian employees, praising them for their reliability and dedication to their responsibilities. In a statement that quickly gained attention on social media, Alabbar joked that he likes hiring Indians because they are always available when needed.
“I like to hire Indians because they answer the phone even at one o’clock in the morning,” he said while addressing the audience.
His comments were widely interpreted as praise for the strong professional culture and commitment often associated with Indian workers across global industries. Millions of Indians work abroad in sectors ranging from technology and healthcare to construction, hospitality, and finance, particularly in Gulf countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Alabbar also stressed that success in business is not only about spending long hours at work. According to him, true success comes from paying close attention to details, carefully studying every opportunity, managing risks wisely, and constantly monitoring performance.
“You need to check your work. You need to study every opportunity and know where to take risks and bring people and monitor their work and keep pushing,” he explained during the summit.
The Emaar founder further discussed how companies can survive difficult economic conditions and global crises. Referring to the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, he said businesses must remain flexible and prepared for unexpected challenges.
“When you learn from 2008 and from COVID, you have to build an agile and resilient business that can handle these circumstances,” he said.
Alabbar’s remarks come at a time when work culture and employee expectations are being debated around the world. Many companies are focusing more on work-life balance and flexible schedules, while business leaders continue to emphasize productivity, accountability, and commitment.
Despite differing opinions on workplace expectations, Alabbar’s comments have resonated with many people who see hard work and discipline as key ingredients for long-term success. His statements also reflect the important role Indian professionals continue to play in the global workforce, especially in fast-growing economies across the Middle East.
Emaar Properties is one of the world’s most recognized real estate companies and is responsible for developing some of Dubai’s most famous landmarks. According to Forbes, Mohamed Alabbar’s net worth is estimated at around $2.9 billion.
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