Key Takeaways
- • Khalaf al Habtoor, Dubai-based construction billionaire and Chairman of Al Habtoor Group, met with Steve Schwarzman, CEO and co-founder of Blackstone Group, on February 21, 2012, at the Habtoor Grand Hotel in Dubai.
- • Blackstone Group, the world's largest independent alternative asset management company, reported $166.2 billion in total assets under management as of the prior year, underscoring the scale of potential partnership discussions.
- • Al Habtoor signaled openness to future business collaboration with Schwarzman, stating "I think we may well do business together in the future" following the dinner meeting.
- • Neither Blackstone nor Al Habtoor's representatives provided immediate clarification on the specific purpose or strategic rationale for Schwarzman's Dubai visit at the time of publication.
Summary
Dubai-based billionaire Khalaf al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, announced a business dinner meeting with Steve Schwarzman, CEO and co-founder of the Blackstone Group, held on February 21, 2012, at the Habtoor Grand Hotel in Dubai. The meeting was communicated through an official press release issued by Habtoor's firm, which notably misspelled Schwarzman's surname.
Schwarzman is a prominent figure in global finance and alternative asset management. As co-founder of Blackstone Group in 1985, he has established himself as a leading private equity financier and former investment banker. His profile extends beyond finance; he was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the world's 100 most influential people in 2007. Blackstone Group, headquartered in the United States, operates as the world's largest independent alternative asset management company, providing investment advice and management services on an international scale. At the time of the meeting, Blackstone reported total assets under management of $166.2 billion (approximately 610.48 billion dirhams).
Al Habtoor characterized the meeting positively, commenting that "Mr Schwarzman is a most interesting man and I think we may well do business together in the future," suggesting potential commercial interest between the two parties. However, neither Blackstone nor Al Habtoor's representatives offered substantive detail regarding the purpose of Schwarzman's visit to Dubai or the specific areas of potential business collaboration. Spokespeople from both organizations were unavailable for immediate follow-up comment at the time of publication.
Schwarzman is a prominent figure in global finance and alternative asset management. As co-founder of Blackstone Group in 1985, he has established himself as a leading private equity financier and former investment banker. His profile extends beyond finance; he was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the world's 100 most influential people in 2007. Blackstone Group, headquartered in the United States, operates as the world's largest independent alternative asset management company, providing investment advice and management services on an international scale. At the time of the meeting, Blackstone reported total assets under management of $166.2 billion (approximately 610.48 billion dirhams).
Al Habtoor characterized the meeting positively, commenting that "Mr Schwarzman is a most interesting man and I think we may well do business together in the future," suggesting potential commercial interest between the two parties. However, neither Blackstone nor Al Habtoor's representatives offered substantive detail regarding the purpose of Schwarzman's visit to Dubai or the specific areas of potential business collaboration. Spokespeople from both organizations were unavailable for immediate follow-up comment at the time of publication.
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