Abdul Rahiman P V

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Abdul Rahiman P V
Chairman
Taj Group 
Sultanate of Oman

A businessman with a never-say-die attitude, a singer, songwriter and travel enthusiast ,  Abdul Rahiman P V, popularly known as Rahim Ponnani, is a man of many talents.

As Chairman of the Taj Group of Oman, he has played an important role in building a family business with operations across Oman, India and the wider Middle East.
From Ponnani to the Sultanate

A native of Ponnani in Malappuram district, Kerala, Rahim was born to K V Ebrahim, also known as K V Bava, who was in the stationery business, and P V Nafeesa, a homemaker.

During his school days at JDT Islam High School in Kozhikode, he made history by becoming the first SFI candidate to be elected school leader.

An important turning point in his life came when, at just 20 years of age, he received an opportunity to move to Oman. He arrived in the Sultanate in 1983 to join his uncle, P.V. Azeez Abdu Salih — the man who owned and operated Jabal Al Hoor Supermarket and Restaurant in Al Khadra, Wilayat Suwaiq.

Rahim didn’t inherit success. He earned it. Through years of hard work, he built his reputation brick by brick, and in 1990 assumed complete leadership by taking over the business operations

As the business grew, Rahim and his two brothers joined hands as equal partners, building and expanding their family business together. Over the years, the three brothers entered the distribution business and established companies across different sectors and regions of Oman, laying the foundation for what would later grow into the Taj Group.

Even in the early days of his journey, Rahim displayed remarkable determination and unwavering faith in the Almighty — virtues that carried him through the darkest chapters of his life.

One such challenge came in 1998, when a short circuit caused a massive fire that destroyed his restaurant, supermarket and warehouse , just three days after his insurance had expired. The losses were devastating. At the same time, he came under further financial pressure when a major company in the country demanded immediate repayment of a debt, without granting him any extension. Forced into a corner, Rahim had to sell his dream car and even liquidate two assets in India to manage the situation.

Refusing to be defeated by these setbacks, Rahim took immediate action. Within just 24 hours, he opened a new shop in a different building — a decision that reflected the determination that would come to define his entire business journey.

On An Upward Trajectory
On January 1, 2000, Rahim and his family partners did the unthinkable. They established Al Minar Shopping Centre on the very site where the fire had destroyed everything. It stood not just as a building, but as a powerful symbol of their determination to rebuild and move forward.

In 2006, Taj Furniture was founded in partnership with an investor. What began as a collaboration has since grown into one of the Sultanate’s most respected furniture wholesale companies. With a broad distribution network, it supplies customers across Oman.

The company also operates in retail connecting directly with customers and delivering quality furniture to households throughout the Sultanate. 

Another pillar of the group is Taj Hypermarket , a growing retail chain with seven outlets, offering a wide range of everyday products to families across the country.

The group has also made its presence felt in the FMCG sector through Aseel Spices. With decades of expertise, Aseel delivers a wide range of packaged spices and condiments to the Omani market.

 

Then there is Al Qiyas Household, which specializes in the wholesale distribution of household goods, serving customers throughout Oman

The group’s portfolio also includes Olive Bakery. The bakery produces a diverse range of fresh bakery products. In addition to seven retail outlets, it serves as a supplier to leading hypermarkets, supermarkets, and retail outlets throughout Oman.


In 2015, the group’s footprint grew beyond Muscat.

With the establishment of Luban City in Salalah, the group expanded its operations to the south bringing its businesses closer to the people there.

The group has also expanded internationally, establishing Marvest Aqua Protein in Tamil Nadu, India.The company focuses on the production of fish meal and fish oil, with a current capacity of approximately 100 tonnes per day.

On October 3, 2021, the group encountered one of its most significant challenges when a severe natural disaster caused extensive damage to its furniture and hypermarket operations. Through Rahim’s leadership and the collective effort of his family, the businesses were rebuilt and restored, returning with greater strength and renewed purpose.

The Taj Group has also entered the food and beverage industry, with restaurants and coffee shops under its portfolio.

Today, the group provides employment to nearly 500 people. From humble beginnings, it has grown into a diversified family business — shaped by the dedication of Rahim and his brothers, and active across a wide range of sectors and markets.

Rahim has also partnered with NPM Bio Marine. A company built on sustainable nutrition. From India’s coast, it produces fish meal and fish oil. Every batch is traceable. Every product is nutrient-rich. It feeds aquaculture, poultry, and livestock around the world. The focus is clear: innovate, reduce waste, protect the oceans. Because responsibility and business can grow together.

Sports and Music
Beyond business, Rahim has always had a deep passion for sports and music.During his school days, he excelled in athletics and was a junior champion in the 5,000 metres. He also competed in the hammer throw and took part in state-level sporting competitions. His interest in sports also extended to martial arts. A purple belt holder in Karate, Rahim trained under national champion  Mr. Zainudeen, with whom he remains in touch to this day. In 1983, Rahim participated in the Quadrangular Shotokan Tournament in Chennai, where he secured third place among 63 participants from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Health and discipline have always mattered to him. He has practiced yoga regularly for over 15 years, and follows the world of boxing closely. When he is not sweating it out in the boxing ring or on the yoga mat, he loves to pen songs related to expatriate themes and also does not miss an opportunity to sing. Interestingly, back home, he has a music club. A globetrotter, he has already visited 72 countries, and the list is expected to grow. Rahim also loves photography. 

Family

Amidst all his responsibilities, one thing has never changed. Rahim’s connection to his family.Close to his three brothers Mr. Zubair P V and Nazeer PV  and two sisters, he continues to put family at the heart of everything he does.Rahim is married to T V Khadeeja, and the couple have two daughters and two sons.The eldest daughter, Rabeeba, works in Dubai, where she is settled with her husband, Zanjeer, and their four kids– Nafeesa, Zain, Zayed and Nahyan. The second child, Thamanna, is married to Shaheer, who runs Golden Gulf Furniture in Musannah.  The Third child, Jabir Abdu Rahim, is Managing Director of Taj Hypermarket in Suwaiq. He is married to Shamna, and they have a son, Ibrahim. Ammar Abdu Rahim, the youngest, is actively involved in running Taj Furniture and Olive Bakery and he is married to Safiya Padiyath. They have a child, Laya.

Rahim’s approach to business has also been guided by a strong sense of responsibility towards the people who have worked alongside him. Rahim never let go of 27 employees when they had to leave his company because of certain official policy changes. Instead, he chose to start a branch of his group  in the UAE, Bavas Shopping Centre LLC, where he placed those staff, ensuring that their lives were not thrown into jeopardy.

Driven by opportunity and strategic ambition, he partnered with his brothers to co-found and scale a thriving family enterprise. Navigating market dynamics with resilience and a passion for creative harmony, Rahim has spent over four decades orchestrating a legacy of business excellence and sustainable growth.