Al Zamil encouraged careful expansion with strong partners on a basis of sound technology in a wide variety of areas.

[3] Zamil Group, which now employs more than 12,000 people in 60 countries, is involved in diverse sectors including general construction, paints, plastics, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, and port management.

Abdullah Al-Hamad Al Zamil established a food and textile trading entity in Bahrain in the 1930s, later expanding into real estate investment.

[7] Upon his death in 1961, the family chose to continue operation of his business as a group, under the leadership of the eldest son, Mohammed.

[10] In 1963 he received a scholarship from the government of Saudi Arabia to study at the University of Southern California (USC) in the United States.

[7] Together with a group of young university-trained Saudis whom he recruited, Al-Zamil reviewed a large number of joint-venture proposals and identified those that were most promising.

During his tenure SABIC's first generation and second generation of manufacturing operations came on line and then expanded, producing such products as polyethylene, propylene, ethylene glycol, ethylene dichloride, methyl tertiary butyl ether, vinyl chloride monomer, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, ammonia, and urea.

[15] During this time he traveled extensively, supporting the training and recruiting of young Saudis in technical and professional fields, as well as promoting economic and industrial development.