Riaz Kader
Business Head
Interface International Ventures, Muscat, Oman
In a region known for its rapid transformation and ambitious development agendas, few professionals have navigated the tides of change as effectively as Riaz Kader. A seasoned mechanical engineer with a marketer’s mind and an entrepreneur’s vision, Riaz stands at the forefront of business innovation in the Middle East. As the business head of Interface International Ventures in Muscat, Oman, he leads with insight, adaptability, and a profound understanding of Gulf markets.
Born in Palakkad, Kerala, and academically trained in engineering and marketing at prestigious Indian institutions, Riaz’s career is a testament to how deep domain expertise, strategic foresight, and cultural intelligence can combine to create a lasting impact. From his early days in India’s manufacturing sector to his instrumental role in building cross-sector businesses in Oman, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, his journey reflects a rare balance of technical skill and commercial instinct.
Riaz’s father, P. Abdul Kader, served the central government, while his mother, Naseem Kader, was a homemaker who shaped the foundation of his strong family values. Riaz’s academic prowess led him to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Bangalore University, graduating in 1997, followed by an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis, Pune in 2000. These formative years laid the groundwork for a career that would soon take flight.
Riaz’s professional journey began even before his engineering degree was complete, when he was campus-selected to join Bharat Forge (Kalyani group). Between 1997 and 2000, he worked as an engineer, gaining firsthand experience in India’s leading Automobile, defense and manufacturing sectors. But the desire to blend engineering acumen with business intelligence spurred him to pursue an MBA.
Post-MBA, in 2000, Riaz joined Alpha Helical Pumps in Coimbatore as a Marketing Manager. Over the next seven years, he specialized in marketing high-precision industrial pumps and valves for Chemical, Paper, Food, oil & gas and other critical industries. This role offered him a deep dive into product-based industrial marketing, sharpening his ability to connect complex solutions with evolving market demands. He was instrumental in getting the first export orders for the company.
In 2007, Riaz moved to Muscat to take on the role of Business Development Manager at Teejan Trading & Contracting LLC, focusing on fire engineering solutions in Oman and Saudi Arabia. This transition marked the beginning of his enduring relationship with the Gulf market. He adeptly managed commercial strategies, project & product management, new client acquisition, and business growth initiatives within Oman and Saudi Arabia’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
Simultaneously, he contributed in the setting up and the growth of Benchmark International, a sister concern under the same corporate umbrella. This venture, which operated from 2007 to 2009, was involved in supplying specialty products to large-scale construction and infrastructure projects — laying the blueprint for what was to become his hallmark: bridging international product innovation with Middle Eastern needs.
In 2009, Riaz assumed the role of Business Head for Interface International, a sister concern of Sterling Group (a predecessor to Interface International Ventures), where he remained until 2024. Under his stewardship, the company scaled new heights, expanding its footprint across Oman . His leadership played a pivotal role in diversifying the company’s offerings and cementing its reputation in trading, and strategic partnerships with companies from the USA,UK, Europe, MENA, India, Malaysia and other countries
The evolution of Interface International Ventures in 2025 marked a new era in Riaz’s career. Now owning and leading a rebranded and forward-looking enterprise, he oversees a multidimensional operation that offers not only product trading but also business consultancy, market research, recruitment, Outsourcing & training services – all finely tuned to meet the demands of a rapidly transforming Middle Eastern economy.
Interface International Ventures today is a beacon for international companies seeking to enter or expand in the Gulf. With over three decades of collective experience, the company offers strategic insights across sectors such as construction, oil & gas, healthcare, logistics, hospitality, and education.
Interface’s consultancy arm is bolstered by experts with backgrounds in top-tier firms like PwC and EY, helping clients streamline operations, drive revenue growth, and build high-performance teams.
Under Riaz’s guidance, the firm’s market research division has become a cornerstone of data-backed decision-making. It provides AI-driven insights and custom research, equipping businesses with intelligence on everything from demand forecasting to trade pattern analysis. The division’s impressive portfolio — spanning over 5,000 projects — showcases its breadth across sectors including BFSI, e-commerce, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, IT, and media.
Interface’s recruitment division, aligned with a seasoned manpower firm, ensures that businesses across construction, oil & gas, hospitality, and logistics receive best-fit talent. From sourcing and training to seamless deployment, the company has become a trusted name in workforce solutions across the GCC.
On the trading front, Riaz has steered the company into becoming a reliable partner for high-quality, specialized products for construction and infrastructure development. The firm’s collaborations with global manufacturers and contractors facilitate the supply of innovative materials and equipment to critical sectors, including Building-healthcare, schools, Hotels & Resorts, Infrastructure -Airports, seaports, Roads, Power transmission and utilities.
Looking ahead, Riaz is focused on expanding Interface International Ventures’ presence across, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the wider GCC, Africa, India, and beyond. His start-up mindset continues to drive innovation, turning product-based models into integrated service platforms that deliver sustainable value.
Outside his corporate life, Riaz is deeply rooted in community and professional circles. He is a member of the Kerala Engineers Federation and Ashraya, and he has served as the president of the MEA (Malayali Engineers Alumni). A passionate trekker and amateur photographer, he finds balance and creative inspiration in nature and exploration.
Riaz’s personal life is as enriching as his professional one. He is married to Fathima Nazneen, an employee with the Government of Kerala, and posted at the Governor’s Office. She is a former international badminton player, proudly represented India at SAF games and the Uber Cup other than winning several national and state level championship between 1992 and 2005. Their son Aadhil is currently pursuing an integrated five-year BBA-MBA program at IIM Rohtak, while their daughter Zoya Fathima Riaz is in the eighth grade at St. Thomas Central School in Thiruvananthapuram.
In every sphere of life — business, family, or community — Riaz Kader exemplifies quiet leadership, strategic clarity, and a relentless drive to create value. His journey from Palakkad to the power corridors of Muscat is a testament to how vision, integrity, and perseverance can transform potential into lasting impact. As he leads Interface International Ventures into a new phase of regional expansion and innovation, Riaz continues to be a force shaping the future of business in the Middle East.
Contact Information
Contact in Oman: +968 9982 6446
Address: PO Box 1568, PC 133
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
