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- Al Khayyat Brothers Planned Syria Entry For Years; A Sajwani and £190 Million Mansion; GEMS' India Push
Al Khayyat Brothers Planned Syria Entry For Years; A Sajwani and £190 Million Mansion; GEMS' India Push
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Friday, June 26, 2026
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Power International Holding’s leadership says its Syria push was not opportunistic. It was planned for years through an internal strategy that evolved as the country’s political landscape shifted. In London, Dubai-based Abbas Sajwani is nearing a £190 million deal for The Holme, one of the city’s most expensive mansions. And in India, GEMS Education is accelerating expansion with a $30 million investment targeting 3 million students. Three very different bets. One common theme: long-term positioning in markets where scale, access, and timing define the outcome.
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Qatari-Syrian Al Khayyat Brothers Were Preparing For Syria Entry for Years
What Is It About?
Power International Holding (PIH), the Qatari conglomerate that scaled across construction, healthcare, telecoms and infrastructure during Qatar’s World Cup boom, says its expansion into Syria was not sudden — it was planned for years. Chairman Ramez Al-Khayyat told Semafor the group maintained an evolving internal strategy for re-entry, updated regularly as Syria’s political landscape shifted. “We had a document that we kept updating,” he said. The company is now active in airport construction, energy, agriculture and aviation projects across post-Assad Syria.
Why It Matters?
PIH’s move reflects how Gulf conglomerates are reshaping post-conflict economies using more than just construction — combining capital, logistics and ecosystem building. In Syria, Al-Khayyat says infrastructure alone is not enough. “Building an airport designed to handle 31 million passengers a year does not work without aircraft,” he said, explaining a $250 million financing package for Syrian Airlines. The strategy signals a deeper model of integrated nation-building, but also raises questions about influence, governance and the role of politically connected capital.
What’s Next?
PIH is now scaling across multiple sectors in Syria, including energy, telecoms and agriculture, alongside a broader footprint in 25 countries. “The main question always is how many jobs you’ve created in the country,” Al-Khayyat said, pointing to a proposed 200,000-job agricultural plan. The company is also pursuing telecom licenses and power projects as Syria rebuilds its grid. “All the 5,000 megawatts are under construction as we speak,” he said, framing the opportunity as high-risk but essential for recovery.
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Abbas Sajwani Is Set To Buy One Of London’s Most Expensive Mansions For £190 Million
What Is It About?
Abbas Sajwani, the son of Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, is nearing a deal to acquire The Holme, one of London's most prestigious mansions, for about £190 million, FT reported. Located in Regent's Park, the 40-bedroom property sits on four acres of private gardens and would rank among the most expensive home purchases in UK history. The mansion was bought by its current owner for £139 million just two years ago.
Why It Matters?
The deal highlights the growing global footprint of Gulf wealth and Dubai's new generation of billionaires. Abbas Sajwani, founder of Dubai-based luxury developer AHS Properties, is rapidly expanding his real estate empire, while his father Hussain Sajwani has become one of the UAE's most prominent international investors through Damac. The family's profile has risen further through high-profile partnerships with US President Donald Trump and investments in companies including SpaceX and xAI.
What’s Next?
If completed, the acquisition would mark another landmark investment by the Sajwani family outside the UAE. It comes weeks after AHS Properties announced the $300 million acquisition of Dubai's Shangri-La hotel. While The Holme would be among London's biggest-ever residential deals, it would still trail the £275 million sale of a Chelsea mansion earlier this year. Neither Abbas Sajwani nor Hussain Sajwani has publicly commented on the transaction.
Gems Education Bets On India With $30 Million Expansion As It Eyes 3 Million Students
What Is It About?
Dubai-based GEMS Education is accelerating its expansion into India with plans to invest up to $30 million over the next three to five years, according to an Economic Times report. The company aims to open more than 30 owned-and-operated schools and build a network of over 1,000 partner schools carrying the GEMS brand. Founded in Dubai in 1959 by Sunny Varkey, GEMS has grown into one of the world's largest private education groups, educating around 200,000 students globally.
Why It Matters?
The move underscores how UAE-grown companies are increasingly exporting their expertise into high-growth international markets. For GEMS, India offers a massive opportunity as demand for quality private education rises. The expansion also extends beyond classrooms, with plans for a teacher-training platform and an investment fund focused on school infrastructure, creating new revenue streams while strengthening the company's presence in one of the world's largest education markets.
What’s Next?
The rollout is already underway. GEMS India has lined up 21 school projects, with five campuses scheduled to open this academic year and another 16 planned across eight states over the next two years. Meanwhile, the company continues investing in its home market, with AED 2 billion earmarked for UAE expansion despite a temporary slowdown in student registrations linked to regional geopolitical uncertainty.
Smashi Business Exclusive: Al Haboob Racing Founders On Turning Camel Racing Into A Global Franchise Model
Ahmed Al Haboob and Safwan Modir, founders of Al Haboob Racing, spoke on Smashi Business about building the world’s first professional camel racing team in Saudi Arabia. They explained how they are transforming a traditional, individual sport into a structured, franchise-style model inspired by Formula 1, with teams, sponsorships and long-term commercial value.
The founders discussed leaving corporate careers during the pandemic to pursue entrepreneurship in a “virgin” sports market, despite high operational risks tied to livestock performance. They also highlighted media ventures like their Netflix series Camel Quest, partnerships including Paul Pogba, and their vision to modernize the sport using data and technology.
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