HISTORY

The Early Years: 1940s -1950s

The late Mr. Abdul Razzaq Abdul Hameed Al-Sane (may God bless his soul) founded the Abdul Razzaq Abdul Hameed Al-Sane & Sons Group in the late 1940s.  Mr. Al-Sane, realizing the potential of Kuwait’s nascent oil industry, started an aircraft charter service from Lebanon to Kuwait to supply imported goods to the British Oil Company that was operating locally at the time.  While this began as a small endeavor, it became a three-year contract, which led to the establishment of Al-Sane Travel Agency in 1948 and the beginning of commercial activities.

Expansion and Growth: 1960s -1980s

Combining strategic long-term vision with local market insights, Mr. Al-Sane built up an extensive real estate portfolio, which provided a solid foundation for the Group’s expansion into a diverse range of sectors, from hospitality to education and water & beverages.

In 1968, the development of commercial property in the heart of Kuwait City proved to be a game-changer for the Group.  It became a famous landmark in Kuwait (later Ministry of Commerce) and contributed to Al Sane’s reputation as a visionary.  The success of this development led to further expansion and investment.

In mid-1975, the late Abdul Razzaq Al-Sane was one of the major founders of Kuwait Real Estate Company to begin work on a landmark project that was the first integrated indoor shopping center and multistory parking complex in the Middle East.  Around the same time, Mr. Al-Sane established a London office and constructed a luxury boutique hotel, The Milestone, in Kensington, London, which was later sold.  He then developed vacation rentals around the London area.

It was in late 1980s that the Abdul Razzaq Al Sane & Sons Group was established. Its first significant milestone was the construction of the most luxurious hotel in the region, the current five-star Regency Hotel.  The groundwork for this hotel started in 1979 and the hotel was completed in December of 1981. The late 1980s saw the Group further diversify into new sectors, such as private school management.

Rebuilding and Renewal: 1990s – 2009

The invasion of Kuwait in 1990 dealt the Group a devastating blow and was the biggest setback for the Group.  In the aftermath of Kuwait’s liberation in 1991, the Abdul Razzaq Al-Sane family dedicated themselves to restoring the Group’s business interests. The Group consolidated and focused on rebuilding its assets in the core sectors of real estate, education, hospitality and water & beverages.

Today, the Group encompasses a workforce of over 1,500 employees across several subsidiaries in Kuwait and the GCC region.  It operates in four key business sectors, real estate, hospitality, water & beverages, and education, all in areas in which the Group offers over 30 years of experience.

The Late Mr. Abdul Razzaq Abdul Hameed Al-Sane

(May God Bless His Soul)