From Borrowed Money to 70,000 Employees: Tarek Sultan on Building a Logistics Empire | 181

From Borrowed Money to 70,000 Employees: Tarek Sultan on Building a Logistics Empire | 181

Author: Mo Islam May 6, 2026 Duration: 46:37

We filmed this conversation during the Family Business Council Gulf (FBCG) Summit 2025 in Muscat, Oman. But, honestly, with everything tha has been happening in the region since then, the supply chain disruptions, the geopolitical shifts, I'd argue it's even more relevant now than when we sat down. Tarek Sultan is the founder and Chairman of Agility, he built a global empire from Kuwait, nearly 70.000 employees globally and presence in more than 100 countries. And what he had to say about resilience, risk, and the future of the GCC.

 

0:00 Intro

2:06 How He Bought a Company With No Money

5:36 The Mindset That Built a Global Empire

9:26 Risk, Resilience & Lessons From Singapore

11:48 Why Logistics Was the Right Bet

15:49 The DSV Deal & Going Public in Abu Dhabi

17:56 Is the GCC Underestimated?

19:13 The Crises That Reshaped Gulf Trade

23:14 Saudi Mega-Projects 

27:39 How AI Is Transforming Logistics & Healthcare

32:26 Succession, Family & Legacy

38:39 Advice for Entrepreneurs in Crisis

40:28 Why the GCC Is a Geopolitical Free Zone

42:17 Post-Oil Era & The Future of Gulf Youth

45:48 Closing

 

Tarek Sultan

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarek-sultan/

Website https://bit.ly/49wgucG

 

Agility LogisticsLinkedIn https://bit.ly/42LiNVA 

Website https://agility.com

 

Presented by BSF

Instagram https://bit.ly/47Xvqjv

X https://bit.ly/4vkYICN

LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4c7Csoo

Website https://bit.ly/4tBULI0

 

Noon 

For new customers: use code TMS26 to get 40% off your first three orders https://bit.ly/4mpnWM9

Instagram https://bit.ly/3XRScUY

Website https://bit.ly/44lnA1S

 

Brew 92Instagram http://bit.ly/3VN6MeI

LinkedIn https://bit.ly/42kN65E

Website https://bit.ly/4grbAjK

 

IWC 

Instagram https://bit.ly/44dxbFW

Website https://bit.ly/43K8JMk

 

Lexus 

Instagram https://bit.ly/4tRXzS6

X https://bit.ly/4cDZ4gI

Website https://bit.ly/4kTlTz6

 


Hosted by Mo Islam, The Mo Show is a conversation held in English, rooted in the daily rhythms and broader narratives of life in Saudi Arabia. This podcast moves beyond headlines to explore the textures of local society and the diverse cultural currents shaping the region. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair for a candid discussion, where personal stories and thoughtful observations reveal the complexities and warmth of a community in flux. You’ll hear from a variety of voices-locals and long-term residents, artists and entrepreneurs, everyday people with compelling perspectives-all contributing to a richer, more nuanced picture. The conversations are unscripted and meandering in the best way, often uncovering unexpected connections between tradition and modernity, or between individual dreams and collective identity. Tuning into this podcast offers a genuine sense of place, a listening experience that feels both intimate and expansive. It’s for anyone curious about the human stories behind the social and cultural evolution within the Kingdom, presented not as a lecture but as an ongoing, engaging dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Mo Show | Presented by BSF
Podcast Episodes
An Unscripted Conversation with Nada Baeshen & Ahd Kamel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:40
In this raw conversation, Mo, Ahd, and Nada talk about the drastic evolution of their live from the restrictions of the past to the booming creative industries of today. They get into the transition from corporate bankin…
President & Chief Investment Officer of Google | Ruth Porat 169 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:11
In this rare and deeply personal conversation, I was fortunate to sit down with Ruth as she opened up about the defining moments of her life, from learning the power of smart risk to helping stabilize the global economy…
Addiction, Faith & The Consequences of Sin | Sh. Hamza Yusuf 167 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:33
Sheikh Hamza Yusuf is one of the most respected Islamic scholars and the co-founder of Zaytuna College in the U.S. He has spent over forty years studying with some of the world’s leading scholars and is known for making…
“Obesity Is Costing Us $5 Trillion Every Year!” —Gary Brecka [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:12
Gary Brecka is a human biologist, longevity researcher, host of @ultimatehumanpodcast and co-founder of 10X Health, Gary spent over 20 years in life insurance analyzing bloodwork, biomarkers, and medical records to predi…
When Art Becomes Therapy | Nourine Hammad on Motherhood and Healing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:06
Nourine is a visual artist whose intricately detailed pencil drawings explore the line between reality and constructed imagery. Her immersive works challenge perception and invite quiet reflection. Beginning with photogr…