Al Otaiba for hundreds of years were the kings of pearls, and known to be master in pearls trading in Arabia and trading with France and the Indian with over 300 pearl boats on the gulf sea. The business have developed after the exploration of oil in 1954 and the Al Otaiba group of companies have now expanded into all types of companies running from construction, building materials, kitchen equipment, automobiles, real estate to IT, telecom and distribution, just to mention a few.Famous family members included Khalaf Bin Abdulla Al Otaiba, known as king of the Pearls in the 18th and 19th century. He established the first school in Abu Dhabi some time between 1921-1930. It was named after him, and offered free education to whoever wished to join it.