Full Name
Ashraf Abuissa
Job Title
CEO and Chairman
Company
AlIssa Holding, Qatar
Speaker Bio
Mr. Ashraf Abuissa is the Chairman and CEO of AbuIssa Holding, one of Qatar’s most diversified business groups with operations spanning retail, distribution, telecommunications, IT, engineering, investments, and real estate. Since assuming leadership in 1987, he has guided the group’s expansion to more than 100 retail outlets and businesses employing over 3,000 people across Qatar and the wider region.
A visionary entrepreneur, Mr. Abuissa has spearheaded the creation of several home-grown brands, including Blue Salon, Mosafer, Karisma Cosmetics, Toys4Me, Arabesq, and The Perfume Museum, while also developing distribution partnerships with major international companies such as Nivea, American Tourister, Del Monte, and 3M. Through these ventures, he has helped shape Qatar’s retail landscape and contribute to national economic diversification. Mr. Abuissa also oversees AbuIssa Real Estate Investment USA, established in 2013, which manages assets across New York, Washington, and Virginia. His business leadership combines global vision with a strong commitment to cultural innovation and social responsibility.
Beyond his corporate roles, Mr. Abuissa serves as Board Member of Qatar Development Bank, President of the Qatar Polo Club, Founding Champion of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Qatar Chapter, and Board Member of M7 (Fashion, Design and Tech) under Qatar Museums. He also sits on the Advisory Council of the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University and is a Founding Board Member of INJAZ Qatar. His achievements have been widely recognized: Abuissa Holding is consistently listed among Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 Arab Family Businesses (2021–2024). He has received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2011), The Businessman of the Year Award (2016), and the Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) from the Swiss Business Council Qatar.
Mr. Abuissa is a graduate of the American College in Atlanta, USA, and completed the Owner/President Management Program (OPM) at Harvard Business School.
A visionary entrepreneur, Mr. Abuissa has spearheaded the creation of several home-grown brands, including Blue Salon, Mosafer, Karisma Cosmetics, Toys4Me, Arabesq, and The Perfume Museum, while also developing distribution partnerships with major international companies such as Nivea, American Tourister, Del Monte, and 3M. Through these ventures, he has helped shape Qatar’s retail landscape and contribute to national economic diversification. Mr. Abuissa also oversees AbuIssa Real Estate Investment USA, established in 2013, which manages assets across New York, Washington, and Virginia. His business leadership combines global vision with a strong commitment to cultural innovation and social responsibility.
Beyond his corporate roles, Mr. Abuissa serves as Board Member of Qatar Development Bank, President of the Qatar Polo Club, Founding Champion of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Qatar Chapter, and Board Member of M7 (Fashion, Design and Tech) under Qatar Museums. He also sits on the Advisory Council of the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University and is a Founding Board Member of INJAZ Qatar. His achievements have been widely recognized: Abuissa Holding is consistently listed among Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 Arab Family Businesses (2021–2024). He has received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2011), The Businessman of the Year Award (2016), and the Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) from the Swiss Business Council Qatar.
Mr. Abuissa is a graduate of the American College in Atlanta, USA, and completed the Owner/President Management Program (OPM) at Harvard Business School.
Speaking At
