The Bin Laden Group, also known as the Saudi Binladin Group (SBG), is a prominent Saudi Arabian multinational conglomerate primarily engaged in construction, engineering, and investment activities. Founded in 1931 by Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden as the Mohammad Binladin Organization, it began as a general contracting company focused on road works and construction during the early years of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under King Abdul Aziz Al Saud. The company grew significantly under the leadership of Mohammed's son, Salem M. Binladin, expanding into diverse sectors including infrastructure, housing, communications, media, and manufacturing. By the 1960s, under King Faisal, it was awarded exclusive rights to major construction projects, including the rebuilding of Mecca and the holy sites, the Mecca-Medina highway, and thousands of housing units. The group restructured in the late 20th century to form the Saudi Binladin Group, incorporating various subsidiaries under a single entity to support its international ambitions. Headquartered in Jeddah, it has been involved in high-profile projects such as the Jeddah Tower (the planned tallest building in the world, contracted in recent years for US$1.23 billion), the Doha Metro (US$3.4 billion contract), and reconstruction efforts in Beirut as part of the Solidere project. With annual revenues estimated between $3 and $5 billion, it remains one of Saudi Arabia's largest construction firms and has stakes in international ventures, including partnerships in London, Geneva, and Curaçao. The Bin Laden Group is family-owned by the bin Laden family, with over 50 siblings and half-siblings from Mohammed bin Laden's 22 wives. It has faced significant controversies due to its association with Osama bin Laden, a half-brother who was involved in the family business until 1993, when he was forced to surrender his stake following his radicalization and exile. The company has repeatedly denied liability for the September 11, 2001, attacks, stating in 2007 federal court filings that Osama had no financial ties since 1993. Despite this disavowal, the group's international arm, the Saudi Investment Company (SICO), established in Geneva on 1980-05-19, has managed global investments and partnerships, such as with the American Daniels Realty Corporation (part of Fluor Corporation) for Kuwait reconstruction contracts. SICO is chaired by Yeslam bin Laden, another family member, with board members including Beatrice Dufour and Baudoin Dunant. The conglomerate has also encountered legal and financial challenges, including the 2017 detention of its former chairman Bakr bin Laden as part of Saudi Arabia's anti-corruption purge, from which he was released after three years. Criticized for its opaque family governance and alleged indirect links to extremism through family ties, the group continues to operate extensively in the Middle East, with subsidiaries like Advanced Vision providing electro-mechanical services for mega-projects. Internationally, the Bin Laden Group routes much of its overseas activities through SICO, which has branches in London (Binexport, established 1990) and Curaçao (1984), facilitating investments in real estate, holding companies like Evered Holdings, and joint ventures such as Sarco SAL in Lebanon (1981, though inactive). It has been involved in projects beyond Saudi Arabia, including the new Velana International Airport terminal in the Maldives and marketing schemes in Mecca through advisors like Cluttons. Despite its decline in influence amid Saudi economic shifts and the rise of rival firms, the group maintains a vast network, employing over 10,000 in some subsidiaries and holding positions in key infrastructure developments. Allegations of favoritism due to royal connections persist, as the bin Ladens have historically enjoyed close ties to the Saudi monarchy, though recent purges have impacted family leadership.