Amb. Dr. Dunston is Building a Film City, Wildlife Sanctuary and Pharma Hub — Here’s Why It Matters!

On this episode of The Dollar Diaries, Ambassador Dr. Dunston Pereira — Group CEO of The Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi for Consultancy and Project Development — traces a long career arc from college lecturer to corporate logistics head, entrepreneur, and now head of a global family office. He described formative years at Murugappa Group, a decade building ventures in India and Oman, and then founding his own businesses that employed hundreds. Personal setbacks (flood, health) and a chance meeting with Sheikh Ahmed led to his current role and a focus on purpose-driven work.Dunston outlines a portfolio approach centered on large destination projects and social impact. Major initiatives discussed include a Film City to build regional film infrastructure, a wildlife sanctuary, a pharmaceutical city to produce affordable medicines (with 60% output directed to African markets), a longevity/wellness park, and affordable education projects. He emphasizes private consortium JVs, long-term (often indefinite) holding horizons, leveraging a 22-country network of representatives, and solving gaps in infrastructure and talent as the keys to making these projects viable.Humanitarian and talent-development themes run throughout the conversation: Dunston described working with 15 NGOs across Africa, setting up toilets and infrastructure, reviewing thousands of job applicants monthly and training recruits from low-income backgrounds, and pursuing affordable schooling to keep families together. Operationally he favors hands-on board reviews, KPI-driven third-party partnerships (e.g., 3PL for logistics), and pragmatic advice to partners (declining non-viable ideas). The episode highlights his long-term, impact-first mindset — building ecosystems, not short-term financial plays.