Complete solution for HDPE& GRP
M.K. Rajan
Managing Director, Murtafat Haima Trading, Sohar, Oman
In the vast industrial corridors of Oman, where steel, concrete, and innovation shape the nation’s infrastructure, one man’s journey from humble beginnings in Kerala to the helm of a thriving enterprise in Sohar stands out as both inspiring and instructive. M.K. Rajan, Managing Director of Murtafat Haima Trading, epitomises resilience, determination, and an entrepreneurial spirit that refused to bow to circumstance. His life’s trajectory — from the son of a boat worker in Attingal to the leader of a multi-division industrial services and trading company — tells a story of grit, hard work, and the power of reinvention.
Born in Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, Rajan grew up in modest surroundings. His mother, the late Kausalya, brought him up as a single parent, undergoing much struggle and managing the household with quiet strength. Though opportunities were limited, Rajan displayed an early aptitude for practical skills and technical learning. He pursued electrical and plumbing training at the Industrial Training Institute in Attingal between 1978 and 1979, equipping himself with the foundation that would later underpin his professional life across the Middle East.
Armed with his technical training, Rajan moved to Oman in the early 1980s. His first stop was Ruwi and Wadi Kabir, where he worked at Lathe Mechanical Services. It was a period of intense learning, where he gained firsthand exposure to machinery and mechanical operations. But family responsibilities drew him back to Kerala in September 1983, where he worked in various fields to sustain himself and his loved ones.
The next big leap came in 1985, when Rajan ventured to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There, he worked in electrical maintenance and contract-related jobs. The stint was cut short by a sudden crisis in the company, forcing him to return to India. This setback did not deter him — Rajan worked in Mumbai and Kerala, continuing to sharpen his skills and accumulate experience across diverse fields.
The turning point in his career arrived in 1990 when Rajan secured a position with Al-Habeshi Trading in Abu Dhabi. Over the next five years, until 1995, he undertook some of the riskiest yet most rewarding jobs of his career — sandblasting and painting massive petroleum tankers with capacities of 50,000 litres. He also worked on refinery storage tanks in the petroleum sector, where precision and safety were paramount. These years tested his endurance and skill, but also imbued him with the discipline and technical confidence that would serve him for decades to come.
On April 11, 1995, Rajan moved to Sohar, Oman, joining his brother, Babu, in a fiberglass company Al Shaeily & Al Kindy. It is at this company that Mr. Rajan learnt all about fibre glass work marking the beginning of his long-term association with Oman’s industrial landscape. From 1996 to 2017, he continued working in Sohar, initially as a temporary helper and later rising to the role of an operator. These two decades represent a period of steady perseverance — years in which Rajan proved his reliability, built networks, and earned the trust of colleagues and clients alike.
Even while employed, Rajan nurtured the dream of building his own venture. In 2003, he took the bold step of starting a company in the car parking sector with just six staff members. What began as a small setup steadily grew in scale and scope. Today, the company has 14 staff, two factories, and two offices, and has diversified into fiber manufacturing and industrial services.
The culmination of these entrepreneurial efforts came in 2023, when Rajan established Murtafat Haima Trading (MHT) in Sohar. As Managing Director, he has positioned MHT as a formidable player in Oman’s industrial installation, maintenance, and trading sectors. Under his stewardship, the company has expanded into multiple divisions — HDPE, GRP, and swimming pools — offering end-to-end solutions across piping, structural works, marine services, car parking installations, and fiber manufacturing.
MHT today reflects Rajan’s vision of a comprehensive service provider for industries. Its portfolio includes HDPE and GRP piping works, CPVC and UPVC installations, car parking shade structures, fiber tank manufacturing, waterproofing, roofing, marine structure maintenance, pump and motor servicing, and specialised fabrication projects. The company also runs a trading division dealing in GRP, HDPE, and PVC fittings, supported by an agile supply chain to ensure timely delivery.
With an additional focus on equipment rental services and specialised welding technologies, MHT has carved a niche in both industrial and non-industrial projects. Its commitment to safety and compliance with international codes underlines Rajan’s belief in sustainable, responsible operations.
The company’s client list speaks volumes about its reputation: Majan Glass Company SAOG, Drak & Scull International PJSC, Sultan’s Special Force, Sharq Sohar LLC, Arabian Industries LLC, Integrated Oilfield Supply & Services LLC, Oman Chlorine SAOG, Port of Sohar, Jindal, and Larsen & Toubro Oman, Oman Sustainable Water Services (OSWS), Majis Industrial Services SAOC, ARAA United Contracting LLC, Oman Mining Company, Oman Aluminum Rolling Company, are among its esteemed partners. Major projects include GRP piping for Barka Power Plant expansion, storm water drainage at Azaiba, car parking installations for multiple leading companies, and structural works at Salalah’s Sultan Special Force facilities.
Despite his demanding business schedule, Rajan has remained deeply engaged in social and cultural work. He is an executive member of the World Malayalee Federation, and part of the Sohar Malayalee Sangham, and is also a member of Samskrithi, a cultural collective. His passion for singing further reflects his creative spirit and zest for life.
Rajan’s personal life has been one of stability and support. He is married to Latha Rajan, a homemaker, who has been his steady partner through all of life’s trials and triumphs. Their children are well-placed in professional and academic pursuits.
Their son, Abhilash Rajan, completed his BCA from Christ College, Thrissur, followed by a one-year cybersecurity course at the University of Westminster, London. Their daughter, Aswathi Raj, pursued her BBA at Waljat College of Applied Sciences and later earned an MBA through Brillianz Educational Group. She is married to Vishnu Vijayan, a hotel management graduate who currently works as Maintenance Manager at Radisson Blu, Kuwait. The couple’s daughter, Yomga (fondly called Nila), is just 15 months old, adding joy to the Rajan household.
From his early days in Attingal to the Managing Director of a dynamic industrial enterprise in Sohar, M.K. Rajan’s journey has been anything but ordinary. It is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and entrepreneurial courage. His career — marked by stints across Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — reflects not only the rise of a determined individual but also the larger story of the Indian diaspora shaping industries in the Gulf.
Today, Murtafat Haima Trading stands as both a business success and a legacy — a company that blends technical expertise with innovative solutions for Oman’s growing industrial landscape. At its helm, Rajan continues to lead with the same humility and determination that have defined his life, ensuring that his story inspires the next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals across borders.
Contact information
Contact in Oman: +9689979-7096
Office Tele: +968 26843572/ +968 26940588
Address in Oman: MURTAFAT HAIMA TRADING
P.O. Box 264, Postal Code: 322, Falaj Al-Qabail
Sohar, Sultanate of Oman.
GSM: +968 72495749
GSM +968 91150441
Web: www.mhtmkr.com
