Early Life
Suhail Bahwan was born in Sur, Oman, a coastal town. He came from a large family and started his career assisting his father, a dhow trader. He traveled between Oman and India, trading goods. He attended primary school in India but dropped out after the sixth grade. He later captained a family vessel to trade goods like dried dates and fish.
Rise to Success
In 1965, Bahwan, along with his brother, moved to Muscat and co-founded the Suhail Bahwan Group. They started with a shop in the Muttrah Souq, selling fishing nets, building materials, and tools. The business grew after securing distributorship licenses for Seiko watches and Toshiba electronics in 1968, followed by a pivotal Toyota dealership in 1975.
Key Business Strategies
Key strategies included securing distributorships of popular brands like Seiko and Toyota. Diversification into various sectors, including construction, fertilizers, and healthcare, was also crucial. Adaptability to Oman's economic growth and the modernization initiated by Sultan Qaboos was a key factor.
Philanthropy
Bahwan is known for his philanthropic work and contributions to various social causes. He has been involved in promoting education and healthcare in Oman, and he established the Suhail Bahwan Charitable Foundation to support health, education, and social welfare initiatives.