Ahmed Rayees
Chief Executive Officer
Al Dastoor Contracting & Trading LLC
Al Yanabi Projects & Investments LLC
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Ahmed Rayees is a distinguished entrepreneur, corporate leader, educationist, and social advocate whose life and career reflect a compelling blend of enterprise, institutional leadership, and service to society. As the Chief Executive Officer of Al Dastoor Contracting & Trading LLC and Al Yanabi Projects & Investments LLC in Muscat, he has contributed to the growth of businesses serving both the public and private sectors in the Sultanate of Oman.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Rayees has combined strategic vision and entrepreneurial leadership with a sustained commitment to education, innovation, youth development, and social responsibility. His journey from a young professional in Oman’s engineering sector to an established business leader and community figure has been shaped by perseverance, continuous learning, principled leadership, and a deep conviction that professional success carries a responsibility to contribute to society.
Early Life and Education
Born in Kannur, Kerala, Ahmed Rayees is the son of the late E. Ahamed, former Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, and the late Zuhara Ahamed. Growing up in a family associated with public life and community service helped shape his understanding of leadership and social responsibility from an early age.
He received his early education at St. Michael’s School, Kannur, before pursuing a degree in Commerce at The New College, Chennai. His professional journey began in Muscat with Galfar Engineering & Contracting, giving him early exposure to Oman’s rapidly developing engineering and infrastructure sector.
Rayees then moved to the United Kingdom, where he pursued higher studies and earned a degree in Business Administration and Management, followed by an MBA in Marketing. His international education and exposure broadened his understanding of management, enterprise, strategy and global business practices, providing a strong foundation for the leadership roles he would later undertake.
A Career Built in Oman
On returning to Oman, Rayees rejoined Galfar Engineering & Contracting as Officer – Special Projects. During this period, he was involved in significant organisational development initiatives, including the formation of National Drilling & Services LLC, Al Khaleej Heavy Equipment, and Indian School Al Ghubra.
In 1992, he assumed the leadership of Al Dastoor Contracting & Trading LLC, beginning a long-standing association with an organisation that has developed into an established supplier of electrical, mechanical, computer and electronic products, and engineering solutions in Oman.
Under his leadership, the organisation has a philosophy that places integrity, reliability, long-term relationships, and principled business practices at the heart of sustainable growth. For Rayees, business has never been solely about commercial success; it is equally about building credibility, creating lasting partnerships, and contributing meaningfully to the country.
Rayees is also Chief Executive Officer of Al Yanabi Projects & Investments LLC. This Oman-based engineering and technology solutions company reflects his strong interest in emerging technologies and their potential contribution to Oman’s development.
Al Yanabi operates across strategic and technology-driven sectors, including aviation, meteorology, space technology, digital transformation, smart infrastructure, marine solutions, and other tech engineering solutions.
In addition to his executive responsibilities, Rayees has contributed to the governance and strategic development of other enterprises and has served as a Director of Galfar Engineering & Contracting (India) Private Limited.
He is a Member of the Foreign Investment Committee of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a Founding Director of INMEC Oman, reflecting his broader engagement with business, investment and enterprise development in the Sultanate.
Education as a Lifelong Commitment
While business has been an important part of Rayees’ professional journey, education has remained a defining commitment of his public life.
As a long-serving member of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman, Rayees has contributed to educational governance, institutional development, and the continuing advancement of standards within the Indian school system in Oman.
As President of the School Management Committee of Indian School Al Ghubra, he has taken an active role in strengthening the school’s academic environment while encouraging greater emphasis on innovation, technology, leadership, and student development.
His commitment to education extends to his hometown of Kannur, where he is associated with educational and social-development initiatives. He is associated with Jamia Hamdard University, Kannur Campus, where he serves as President and participates in the activities of the Deenul Islam Sabha (DIS) educational institutions, including the DIS Orphanage and Girls’ High School, which serve a significant student community.
His vision for education looks beyond conventional classroom learning. He consistently encourages initiatives that enable students to think independently, communicate confidently, embrace innovation, understand emerging technologies, and develop leadership skills.
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders
Rayees also serves as Chairman of the E. Ahamed Model United Nations (EAMUNC), an initiative dedicated to helping young people develop public-speaking ability, confidence, diplomacy, leadership, conflict-resolution skills, global awareness, and a deeper understanding of international affairs.
The initiative reflects a principle that has remained central to his educational philosophy: young people should not merely be prepared to participate in the future; they should be empowered to shape it.
He believes that education achieves its highest purpose when knowledge is grounded in values and personal success creates opportunities for others.
Community and Humanitarian Service
Rayees’ contribution to public life extends deeply into social and humanitarian service, particularly within the Indian expatriate community in Oman.
Over the years, he has been associated with prominent community organisations, including KMCC, where he has served as President, and the Indian Social Club Oman. He was also the founding Convenor of the Malabar Wing of the Indian Social Club, contributing to the development of a platform for cultural engagement and community service.
His commitment to community welfare was particularly evident during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. When international travel restrictions left many expatriates stranded and families separated, Rayees took the initiative to help organise repatriation flights from Oman, enabling many people to return safely to their home countries.
He also supported humanitarian efforts by distributing food kits and medicines, while helping organise quarantine facilities for people affected by the pandemic. These initiatives represented more than emergency assistance; they reflected a deeply held belief that leadership becomes most meaningful when it responds to people in moments of genuine need.
In recognition of his contributions to the community, Rayees was honoured with the “Indian of the Year 2024” award by the Indian Social Club Oman.
Family and Shared Values
Behind Rayees’ professional and community journey is a family that shares a strong commitment to education, professional achievement, and social engagement.
He is married to Nisham Rayees, a broadcaster who produced, directed, and presented popular programmes with Oman FM English. A committed member of the Charity Wing of the Indian Social Club, Nisham is actively involved in social and community initiatives.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to charity, community upliftment, broadcasting and entrepreneurship, Nisham Rayees was named a Global Nominee by Rising Beyond the Ceiling (RBTC). She is permanently featured in the historic compendium “100 Inspiring Muslim Women of Kerala”, celebrating her professional excellence, leadership, and contributions as a prominent Indian Muslim woman making a meaningful impact in society.
Their eldest son, Saad Rayees, is pursuing a career in space engineering in Germany. After completing postgraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, he continued his academic specialisation with a second master’s degree in Space Engineering at the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), preparing for a career in the rapidly evolving global space sector.
Their second son, Fahd Rayees, is an entrepreneur in the food industry. He completed his undergraduate studies at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom and subsequently pursued a master’s degree at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Their daughter, Nafisa Zuhra, graduated in Economics and Management from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. She has developed her professional expertise in energy management and works in a project leadership role in Bristol.
A Legacy of Purposeful Leadership
Ahmed Rayees represents a generation of leaders whose contributions cannot be measured solely by corporate achievement. His path from his early days as a young professional in Oman to leading established enterprises, contributing to educational institutions, mentoring young people, and supporting communities in times of need reflects the enduring value of purpose-driven leadership.
His professional guiding principles combine respect for traditional values with an openness to innovation and technological change. He believes that institutions must continuously evolve, that young people must be equipped for a rapidly changing world, and that those in positions of responsibility have an obligation to help strengthen the communities around them. Ultimately, he believes the true measure of a person’s success lies not only in what they achieve, but in how many others they help to succeed.
Throughout his career, Rayees has seamlessly combined business leadership with a strong commitment to education and social service. His contributions across these fields reflect a leadership philosophy grounded in excellence, responsibility, and a desire to create lasting value for institutions, individuals, and the wider community.
Contact Information
Ahmed Rayees
Chief Executive Officer
Al Dastoor Contracting & Trading LLC
Contact Number : +968 22086340 / 22086320
