The Man Behind Dubai's Affordable Housing Boom
Gulf Business|July 2017

Construction and real estate billionaire Rizwan Sajan details his journey to the top and where he plans to take Danube Group next

Robert Anderson
The Man Behind Dubai's Affordable Housing Boom

Your story is often described as being 'from rags to riches', having started over in Dubai with nothing. Did you ever imagine you would be where you are today?

“I moved to Dubai post the Gulf War, in an attempt to reinvent myself and regain all that I had lost in Kuwait. At that moment, investing the money I had wisely, setting up a business and making it profitable was the priority.

“I was quite sure I would succeed because of my business acumen, the products I was selling and the market conditions, but I definitely did not expect to reach such heights. God has been very kind to me, bringing the right opportunities at the right time that have resulted in all that I have achieved to date.”

You have been one of the leading players in the trend of affordable housing in Dubai, are the days of luxury properties numbered?

This story is from the July 2017 edition of Gulf Business.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2017 edition of Gulf Business.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GULF BUSINESSView All
Green lights
Gulf Business

Green lights

It hasn’t even been a full year that Stellantis, one of the world’s biggest auto companies, has been in existence. Still, its wheels are spinning furiously. Here’s what it has in store for the region

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2021
Purpose through corporate responsibility
Gulf Business

Purpose through corporate responsibility

Every organisation must deeply reflect about whether they are leaving behind a legacy or a liability, says Abdulaziz AlSowailim, EY MENA chairman and CEO

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021
Analysing the layers of a coconut
Gulf Business

Analysing the layers of a coconut

When we have a sense of clarity as to our purpose in life, then we institute the correct practices and habits around us, and set realistic and achievable results

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
DUNES TO DOMINION
Gulf Business

DUNES TO DOMINION

FOR A COUNTRY RICH IN TRADITION AND DRIVEN BY AMBITION, THE UAE’S JOURNEY DURING THE PAST 50 YEARS HAS BEEN UNPRECEDENTED. WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE NEXT 50?

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2021
Building strong
Gulf Business

Building strong

International investors are boosting Dubai’s residential property market, which has rebounded strongly from the Covid crisis, writes Aarti Nagraj

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
CHASING THE AMERCIAN DREAM
Gulf Business

CHASING THE AMERCIAN DREAM

FOR SHAI ZAMANIAN, THE US IS A LAND OF LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES, AN AVENUE HE AIMS TO OPEN FOR FAMILIES WORLDWIDE VIA IMMIGRATION. HERE’S HOW HE IS BRINGING HIS GOAL TO FRUITION

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2021
OBITUARY: JOCELYN HENDERSON (1921-2021)
Gulf Business

OBITUARY: JOCELYN HENDERSON (1921-2021)

THE GRANDE DAME OF ABU DHABI – THE WIFE OF A FORMER DIPLOMAT – PASSED AWAY IN THE UAE CAPITAL AGED 100

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
THE DIGITAL DISRUPTORS
Gulf Business

THE DIGITAL DISRUPTORS

IN THE COMING YEARS, THE GCC IS EXPECTED TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SECTORS SUCH AS HEALTHCARE, MANUFACTURING, EDUCATION AND RETAIL, WHICH WILL HELP BOOST THE GROWTH OF ITS NON-OIL ECONOMY

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2021
Signed, sealed, delivered
Gulf Business

Signed, sealed, delivered

Nicolas Baretzki, CEO of Montblanc, partnered with one of the world’s most recognisable luxury brands, Ferrari, earlier this year. Here’s where the partnership, and the German company as well, is headed next

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2021
UP, UP AND AWAY
Gulf Business

UP, UP AND AWAY

AS THE FIRST IN-PERSON AIRSHOW TO TAKE PLACE SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF THE PANDEMIC, THE EVENT SAW SEVERAL DEALS ANNOUNCED

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021