Ravi Pillai: From Kerala’s paddy fields to Bahrain’s highest honour

In the sultry coastal village of Chavara, Kerala, during the 1950s and early 1960s, a young boy named Ravi Pillai once wandered through lush paddy fields, his mind brimming with dreams far too large for his humble surroundings. Born into a family of farmers, Pillai could have easily followed in the footsteps of his ancestors but he always wanted to become an entrepreneur.

Fast forward to 2024, and the scene couldn’t have been more different. In the gleaming halls of the royal palace in Bahrain, Pillai, now a 71-year-old billionaire industrialist, stood beside King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The atmosphere was formal, yet charged with warmth and respect as the king personally awarded Pillai Bahrain’s prestigious national honour, the Medal of Efficiency. The honour was historic—he was the only foreign national to receive it—but for those who knew his story, it was a natural progression of a life driven by grit, vision, and determination.

Ravi Pillai

Pillai has been recognized with numerous awards in the past, including the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman in 2008 and the Padma Shri in 2010. He was one of only two Indian entrepreneurs from the GCC region to be featured in the elite list of Forbes International’s India’s 100 Richest People in 2014. The following year, Arabian Business ranked him as the fourth most powerful Indian in the Middle East. With a turnover of USD 12 billion, the RP Group he founded is one of the largest employers of Indians abroad and a major remitter of foreign currency to India.

The prestigious Bahrain honour

Dr Ravi Pillai, chairman of the RP Group received Bahrain’s prestigious national honour, the Medal of Efficiency, by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in December 2024.

“This esteemed award reflects His Majesty’s deep appreciation for Dr. Pillai’s outstanding contributions to the Kingdom, particularly in the fields of refinery operations, local community development, and the strengthening of Bahrain’s global position,” read the Royal Order. The award highlighted his instrumental role in the development of Bahrain’s industrial landscape and the local community.

Ravi Pillai received Medal of Efficiency from the King of Bahrain

Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Dr Pillai said, “This award is a reflection of the collective efforts of my team, the support of the people of Bahrain, and the unwavering trust of the Kingdom. I dedicate this award to all the hardworking employees who supported me all these years.” He further added, “I dedicate this honour to all the Indians, especially the expats in the Gulf, whose contributions have been instrumental in the growth and prosperity of the region.”

Early life and entrepreneurial beginnings

Born in 1953, in Chavara, a coastal town in Kerala, Ravi Pillai was raised in a family of farmers. Despite the rural setting, he nurtured entrepreneurial ambitions from a young age. He earned a degree in commerce from the University of Cochin and launched his first business, a chit fund in Kollam, with borrowed money.

His early ventures also included an engineering contract business, working with major industrial houses like Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited and Hindustan Newsprint Limited. However, a labour strike brought his business to an abrupt halt. What seemed like a setback at first turned out to be a turning point in his career, pushing him to explore new opportunities.

Ravi Pillai received Padma Shri in 2010

The Middle East opportunity

In 1978, with little money saved, Ravi Pillai moved to Saudi Arabia. It was a bold decision made at a time when many Malayalis from Kerala were seeking opportunities in the Middle East. “I didn’t know anybody there. And this was the first time I had gone abroad,” recalled Pillai.

Initially, he partnered with a businessman named Abdullah Jufan, but the collaboration didn’t last. He then joined hands with Nasser Al-Hajri, a partnership that laid the foundation for his future success.

The newly established Nasser Al-Hajri Corporation, grew under Pillai’s leadership to become one of the largest general construction contractors in the Middle East. The venture began with 120 employees, primarily recruited from Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu.

“The real growth took place around 1983. We started getting sub-contracting work and our first project was to construct an underground parking space for airplanes, for a French company,” said Pillai. This was followed by a project for the Royal Terminal at Riyadh Airport and various petrochemical plants and refineries.

RavI Pillai

Building a business empire

The industrialization of Saudi Arabia in the 1970s and 1980s provided the perfect backdrop for Pillai’s business ventures. Nasser S. Al-Hajri Corporation became the preferred contractor for Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), working on several industrial projects.

Despite the dominance of Korean construction companies, Pillai made a mark by demonstrating that Indian workers could excel in technical work. “People would say that Indians can’t do it. With every project, I showed that we could do technical work too. We were better in both quality and cost,” he noted. His efforts paid off, and by 2013, RP Group employed 70,000 people, with more than 45,000 being Indians.

Over the years, the Nasser S. Al-Hajri Corporation has become the flagship company of Pillai’s business group, RP Group, which employs more than 70,000 employees across its businesses.

Diversifying beyond construction

The entrepreneur didn’t confine himself to construction. Over the years, he expanded his business interests across sectors such as hospitality, cement, steel, oil, gas, education, retail, and healthcare, both in the Middle East (UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain) and in Kerala. In his home state of Kerala, his ventures include hotels like Raviz Hotel & Resorts and healthcare institutions such as Upasana Hospital. In 2011, the industrialist made headlines by acquiring the Leela Kovalam, a prized property of the Leela Group, for ₹ 500 crore.

Pillai’s other investments in Kerala include shopping malls, hospitals, and educational institutions. His contributions to Kerala’s tourism and healthcare sectors are significant, making him one of the largest investors from the Gulf.

The entrepreneur’s contributions extend beyond business. His philanthropic efforts include investments in education and healthcare, benefiting thousands of people in India and Middle East.

Indian entrepreneurs in the Middle East

Indian entrepreneurs have played a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of the Middle East. From the bustling souks of Dubai to the industrial hubs of Saudi Arabia, they have left an indelible mark through their entrepreneurial ventures and investments. These business leaders, many of whom arrived in the Gulf during the oil boom of the 1970s, brought with them a strong work ethic, resourcefulness, and a deep sense of community.

Leaders like Dr Ravi Pillai exemplify this legacy of hard work and success. Indian expatriates have established businesses across sectors such as construction, hospitality, healthcare, and retail, contributing significantly to the region’s economic diversification. Their ventures not only generate wealth but also create employment opportunities for thousands of people, particularly for the Indian diaspora. The trust and credibility they have built over the years have made them indispensable partners in the Gulf’s development story. As the Middle East continues to evolve, Indian businessmen remain at the forefront, driving innovation, fostering cross-cultural ties, and embodying the spirit of global entrepreneurship.

A legacy of inspiration

Dr Ravi Pillai’s journey from a small town in Kerala to a global business leader is an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs. Reflecting on his success, Dr Pillai said in an interview, “Each project and investment has been a step toward building a legacy. It’s not just about profits; it’s about creating opportunities for people and making a meaningful impact.”

As he continues to expand his business empire and contribute to society, the entrepreneur’s name will undoubtedly remain etched in the annals of entrepreneurial history, inspiring generations to come.

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