Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners) has been a pioneering force in the planning, design and implementation of development projects in the Middle East, Africa and Asia since its beginnings in 1956. Today we are a global consultancy with 43 offices throughout 30 countries, known for our problem identification, tailor made-designs, quality, on-time deliverables and multi-disciplinary expertise.Dar was established in 1956 as Dar Al-Handasah (arabic) and Associated Consulting Engineers (english) by four professors of American University of Beirut Engineering School: Samir Thabet, Khalil Maalouf, Nazib Taleeb and Kamal A Shair. The firm was funded on $3,500. By end of 1957, firm fees exceeded $30,0000.By the end of the decade, we complete 161 projects in Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, South Yemen and Egypt. While majority of our portfolio remains in industrial and power sector, we expand our expertise with transportation, built environment, planning, agriculture & irrigation, water & sewerage, and power/telephone projects. Offices open throughout the Arab Peninsula in Amman ('60), Jeddah ('65), and Aden ('67).The 1970s oil boom ignited an incredible transformation and modernization of infrastructure in many OPEC nations.Dar was there. In this decade, we were honored to help the governments of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Algeria in developing their industrial infrastructure, roads, airports, seaports, hospitals, schools, water and sewerage systems, housing, and telecom facilities.The 80s prove to be Dar's greatest decade to date for global growth. With the acquisition of Perkins+Will and T.Y. Lin International, the firm expands into North America and the Far East. Meanwhile, Dar enters the Turkish market, opening offices in Istanbul and Adana, and continues to expand its existing client base throughout Africa and the Middle East.A major story for the 1990s was the rebuilding of Beirut's Central Business District from 1993 to 1996. We also consistently ranked among the top 10 engineering firms in the world and sector leaders in buildings, transportation and wastewater.Today we celebrate 50 successful years in business, having grown from a small engineering consultancy across from University of Beirut to one of the largest global, multi-disciplinary firms with 6,500 employees in 111 offices across 42 countries.