Yogesh Mehta, CEO of Petrochem Middle East (8 mins)

Welcome to this episode of our Bayt Leadership Series. Yogesh Mehta, one of Dubai’s most popular businessmen, tells MAD Talks founder Tariq Qureishy how he came to Dubai at the age of 29 with no job, no plan and no future. “I came here on a hope and prayer. But I had lots of dreams.” Today he is the CEO of Petrochem Middle East, and a rich and successful man.

Mehta acquired his interest in petrochemicals at a very young age. When he was 14 years old, he began helping his father at a chemical company. When he met his wife, he wanted to prove to his in-laws that he was a successful businessman who could provide for their daughter. So he found two partners and set up his own small petrochemical company. Due to lack of experience running a business and many rookie mistakes, his business failed and he lost all of his money. His family life flourished but his business attempts kept failing.

At the age of 29 he left India to try out his luck in Dubai. He had no money, no job, no plan and no future but he did have lots of dreams. His persistence helped him fulfill those dreams. Petrochem Middle East was established in 1995 and eventually expanded to become one of the leading petrochemical companies in the region.