Emile Bustani is regarded as one of the most prominent Lebanese businessmen of the 20th century. He embodied the pioneering, bold, and generous spirit of the Lebanese people decades before the rise of the late Rafik Hariri. Had he lived longer, he could have become a distinguished President of the Republic of Lebanon, as he possessed all the qualities required for such a role. Born in 1907 in the town of Debya in Lebanon’s Chouf district, Bustani displayed academic excellence from an early age.
His outstanding performance earned him a scholarship to pursue higher education at the prestigious American University of Beirut, followed by further studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), after completing his engineering degree at the American University of Beirut. At the age of thirty, in 1937, Bustani co-founded a contracting and trading company with his partners Abdallah Khoury and Shukri Shammas. The company, known as C.A.T., quickly rose to prominence and was recognized by its distinctive black cat logo. The company began its operations in Lebanon as a local contractor. However, Bustani’s ambitions extended far beyond the borders of his relatively small homeland. He made the strategic decision to shift the bulk of his business to the Gulf region, a move that proved wise, as it coincided with the surge in contracting activity in the Gulf fueled by the oil boom.
C.A.T. quickly specialized in large-scale oil-related projects, including the construction of pipelines, hospitals, infrastructure, and roads. Today, eighty-eight years later, the company continues to operate in much the same way, though with significantly greater reach and expansion. In record time, it became one of the largest and most respected contracting companies in the Middle East. Bustani was widely known for his patriotism and his commitment to developing Lebanon’s infrastructure and supporting its economy. He was also one of the first Lebanese businessmen to own a private plane. Tragically, it was aboard that very plane that he met his untimely end. In 1963, during a business trip, Bustani died in a plane crash over the Mediterranean.
The circumstances surrounding the accident sparked widespread suspicion, with many questioning the true cause of the accident. His death came as a huge shock to Lebanon and the entire region, marking the loss of one of the main figures in development and the economy. Despite this, his legacy and positive influence continue to last. Bustani’s life and career remain an inspiration to many. Even after all these years, C.A.T. is still a thriving company by all standards, with the same founding partners: Bustani, Shammas, and Khoury. Among C.A.T.’s notable projects in Kuwait was the construction of Al-Sabah Hospital, which was the largest hospital in the Gulf at the time.
The company successfully executed many oil and road projects before eventually deciding to exit the Kuwaiti market due to the challenges of operating here. However, another major local contracting company convinced C.A.T.’s management to maintain part of its operations in Kuwait but under a different name. This strategic move allowed them to leverage the company’s extensive experience and excellent track record with government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Public Works. C.A.T. remains one of the most reliable and high-quality road construction companies in the region.
The Kuwait Humanitarian Friendship Society, which has been honoring individuals from various segments of the expatriate community who have lived in Kuwait for fifty years or more, extended an invitation to C.A.T.’s director in Kuwait to honor him on the occasion of his 60th anniversary with the company. The invitation also included his colleague, Karim Sherbini, and our dear brother, Fahad Abu Shaar, the General Manager of the St. Regis Hotel Group. The circumstances were not favorable, and the C.A.T. director apologized for personal reasons. As a result, I am writing this article to pay tribute to him for his efforts and dedication. He is an exemplary administrator and a man of integrity who deliberately avoids media attention. Instead, he preferred to continue his work quietly, away from the spotlight.
By Ahmad alsarraf
