UCC Holding Chairman Moutaz Al-Khayyat discusses the company’s global rise, its role in shaping transformative infrastructure, and the values powering its continued expansion
by Angitha Pradeep April 14, 2025 01:00 PM GST
As the Chairman of UCC Holding, Moutaz Al-Khayyat leads one of the Middle East’s most diversified contracting conglomerates. With a portfolio spanning energy concessions, infrastructure, construction, and large-scale investments across multiple continents, UCC Holding has become a global player with deep roots in the region.
In this exclusive interview, Al-Khayyat shares insights into the principles that have shaped his leadership—honesty, hard work, and attention to detail—and how these values continue to drive the company’s remarkable growth. From navigating global challenges and delivering world-class infrastructure to pioneering sustainable energy projects, UCC’s journey is a testament to vision, resilience, and strategic ambition.
How do your principles of honesty, hard work, and attention to detail influence your approach to leadership and decision-making in your companies?
UCC Holding is an energy concession and contracting conglomerate; it is a leading force in oil and gas, energy, concessions, infrastructure, natural resources, and construction. We have several projects in multiple countries worldwide and long-term investments in collaboration with governments, PPPs, semi-governmental entities, as well as the private sector. Our focus extends beyond construction to large-scale investments in transformative developments that shape economies and industries.
We have built our reputation on a foundation of quality, timely delivery, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. These attributes are deeply rooted in our core principles—integrity, dedication, and meticulous attention to detail. Since our inception in 2011, we have successfully delivered over 1,200 large-scale projects, including buildings, palaces, resorts, master-planned cities, and infrastructure developments. Our clients span the highest echelons of the private sector, governmental, and semi-governmental entities, reinforcing our position as a trusted leader in the industry.
UCC Holding is ranked 42nd globally by Engineering News-Record (ENR) and holds the 10th position in Power Construction. This success is not coincidental—it is the result of relentless dedication, one project at a time, with an acute focus on precision and efficiency. We have invested significantly in state-of-the-art digitisation across all processes, integrating solutions from SAP, Google, and Microsoft. This commitment ensures real-time data integrity, efficient decision-making, and enhanced service delivery for our clients. A guiding principle within our organisation is to preserve our corporate reputation at all costs because we believe that reputation is the cornerstone of longevity and success in the construction industry.
Through Power International Holding and other companies within our group, we have successfully leveraged vertical integration to execute mega projects in agriculture, the food industry, healthcare, and real estate across several countries. One notable example is in Algeria, where we are developing Baladna—one of the world’s largest integrated dairy farms—a project that will significantly enhance food security in the region. Our strategic investments also extend into major healthcare projects in affiliation with the globe’s best institutions, and partnerships with governments. These projects include major hospitals in Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, and beyond, reinforcing our commitment to critical sectors that drive economic and social impact.
Moreover, we have extensive experience in delivering construction for mega events, notably the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Our expertise in handling complex, high-pressure projects on tight timelines has positioned us as a trusted contractor, and we are now being solicited for similar large-scale events worldwide.
Additionally, we have built strong traction with leading financial institutions globally to finance and support our large-scale projects, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth across multiple sectors.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in growing UCC, and how did you overcome them?
Challenges are a natural part of any contractor’s journey, but what sets us apart is our ability to anticipate, adapt, and overcome them. Our primary competitive advantage is our customer-centric approach—understanding their needs and expectations allows us to develop strategic solutions tailored for success.
One of the major challenges in the construction sector is ensuring timely project delivery. To address this, we have built a vertically integrated ecosystem of specialised contracting firms, covering Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP), joinery, steel manufacturing, marble and stone fabrication, landscaping, ELV solutions, marine and offshore units, data centres, and labour supply services. By owning and managing these entities within the value chain, we exercise control over every aspect of construction, securing both quality and efficiency in project execution.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the global construction industry faced unprecedented hurdles—lockdowns, social distancing, and disruptions in the supply chain led to delays and increased costs. Despite these challenges, UCC Holding successfully delivered multiple high-profile projects, including critical infrastructure for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Our resilience stemmed from agile decision-making, strategic planning, and leveraging technology to maintain operational continuity. This experience reaffirmed our belief that adaptability and innovation are key drivers of long-term success.
Additionally, UCC Holding operates in 19 countries, giving us a diversified global footprint and exposure to various market conditions. Our ability to navigate different regulatory environments, economic landscapes, and construction challenges has been a crucial factor in our continued expansion and success.
How do you see the contracting and real estate sectors evolving in Qatar and the wider region over the next few years?
The construction and real estate sectors in the GCC, particularly in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are on an upward trajectory, driven by economic diversification and infrastructure expansion. Saudi Arabia’s economy grew by 1.3% in 2024, with a notable 4.3% increase in non-oil sectors, despite a 4.5% decline in oil activities. This growth is fuelling significant investments in residential real estate, with private buyers projected to spend approximately $1.22 billion in 2025.
Similarly, Qatar’s construction industry grew by 4.4% in 2024, reaching a market size of around $36.7 billion. This expansion is largely supported by government investments in infrastructure, urban development, and energy projects—including a planned 85% increase in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production by 2030.
Beyond the GCC, we see promising opportunities in Iraq and Algeria, where economic reforms and infrastructural modernisation are driving demand for large-scale developments. UCC Holding is actively expanding in these markets, leveraging our expertise to support their ambitious growth plans.
We also have strong financial backing, as we bank with some of the best financial institutions both in the region and globally. This strategic approach to financial management ensures our ability to undertake and deliver large-scale projects efficiently.
Can you elaborate on your approach to investing in people within your organisation and how it contributes to overall success?
At UCC Holding, we firmly believe that people are our greatest asset. Every aspect of our business revolves around individuals—employees, partners, and clients—working together to create value and drive progress. Our corporate mission is clear: to add value to society and enhance lifestyles through our projects.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, with a workforce comprising over 100 nationalities. This rich diversity fosters innovation, enhances problem-solving capabilities, and strengthens our ability to navigate complex projects with agility. Our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) further underscores our dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment.
To ensure employee motivation and engagement, we have implemented structured governance committees, clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and performance-based incentives. With a workforce of over 65,000 professionals, we prioritise career development, continuous learning, and leadership training to cultivate a high-performance culture.
What are your future goals for UCC, and what exciting projects are on the horizon?
The future of UCC Holding is defined by expansion, innovation, and sustainability. We are significantly scaling our Power, Oil & Gas, and Energy Concession divisions, aligning with global shifts toward sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy.
Our expertise spans thermal and renewable power generation, power transmission and distribution, and logistics. Additionally, we are investing in cutting-edge technologies for carbon capture, waste management, and sustainable urban development.
Among our latest agreements is the upcoming 1,000 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan—a landmark venture in collaboration with Samruk Energy. This project underscores our commitment to large-scale, sustainable energy solutions that drive regional growth and energy efficiency.
We are also focusing on demand-driven investments in emerging markets, spanning real estate, energy, and mining sectors across Eurasia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Our teams are actively scrutinising several high-impact projects that align with long-term economic trends and regional needs. Through these initiatives, we aim not only to develop key infrastructure but also to enhance community standards, create value, and export our expertise to markets that benefit from our integrated approach.
By leveraging our knowledge and experience, we contribute to sustainable growth while ensuring that our projects bring tangible benefits to societies worldwide.
Our journey continues to be fuelled by an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and responsible business practices. As we look ahead, we remain focused on delivering transformative projects that shape the future of construction and real estate worldwide.
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