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100 POWERFUL ARABS [Gulf Business (United Arab Emirates)]
(Gulf Business (United Arab Emirates) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) 01.
HRH PRINCE ALWALEED BIN TALAL BIN ABDULAZIZ ALSAUD, CHAIRMAN, KINGDOM HOLDING COMPANY ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 01 THE LAST YEAR has been far from uneventful for the world's most powerful Arab, with business success partly offset by PR blunders and court cases.
Alwaleed's wealth became a source of controversy in March 2013 when Forbes' annual billionaire list estimated his fortune at $20 billion, some $9.6 billion below his own calculations. The Prince expressed his dissatisfaction publicly and eventually took the publication to court.
Having vowed never to work with Forbes again, by the end of 2013 Alwaleed estimated his fortune had increased by 20 per cent, from $25.9 billion to $31.2 billion.
Since establishing Kingdom Holding in 1979, Alwaleed has acquired increasingly shrewd investments, which stakes in Citibank, Movenpick Hotels, Walt Disney, Apple Inc, News Corp, Twitter and PepsiCo, among others. Of these Twitter was a particularly big performer last year. The social network's public listing increased the value of his $300 million stake, acquired in 2011, to around $1.2 billion by the end of 2013.
Progress was also made on his iconic Kingdom Tower project - set to be the world's tallest building when finished - with piling work completed at the end of the year and a new CEO appointed to lead the overall Kingdom City development.
In July the Prince also stepped into politics, addressing an open letter to the Saudi Arabian government criticising its oil policies and warning of the rising threat of US shale gas.
If 2013 is anything to go by, few would bet on this year being a quiet one for the world's most powerful Arab.
02.
HH SHEIKH AHMED BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM, CHAIRMAN, EMIRATES/EMIRATES NBD ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR TRANSPORT 2013 RANK 02 HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum stood proudly at the Dubai Airshow in November as his airline, Emirates, announced $99 billion worth of orders with Boeing and Airbus, the changing shift in power in the global airline industry clear for all to see. With the opening of Dubai World Central, and Dubai International set to become the world's largest by international passenger numbers in the coming years, there is no sign of the powerhouse that Sheikh Ahmed has created fading any time soon. On top of his role in the airline industry, Sheikh Ahmed is also deputy chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and chairman of two of Dubai's largest government vehicles: Emirates NBD and Dubai World as well as Noor Bank and flydubai.
03. KHALID AL FALIH, CEO, SAUDI ARAMCO ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 03 GOVERNMENT-OWNED SAUDI Aramco is the world's largest crude exporter. The firm manages proven reserves of 260.1 billion barrels of oil and manages the fourth-largest gas reserves in the world, around 279 trillion cubic feet. Al Falih has worked his way up the ranks to the top seat at the oil giant since joining in 1979. In the wake of the US shale gas boom, Falih said last year that his company was exploring the potential of Saudi Arabia's own unconventional deposits and has carried out appraisal drillings in three prospective areas.
04.
ALI BIN IBRAHIM AL NAIMI, PETROLEUM AND MINERAL RESOURCES MINISTER ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR ENERGY 2013 RANK 04 AS PRESIDER OVER the world's largest oil reserves, Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Al-Naimi plays a critical role in the future of energy. The long-serving minister is highly respected in the country due to his wide experience within the industry. As the world's economic outlook continues to fluctuate and US shale gas emerges, Al-Naimi looms large in oil supply decisions.
05.NEW HE REEM AL HASHIMY, MINISTER OF STATE AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DUBAI WORLD EXPO 2020 ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR DIVERSIFIED THE FACE OF Dubai's Expo 2020 bid, Al Hashimy delivered a stirring speech on voting day at the Bureau of International Expositions, Paris in November 2013. "I am now delivering what is likely to be one of the most important speeches of my life," she told the audience before delivering Dubai's final presentation. The emirate's subsequent crowning as host of Expo 2020 means Al Hashimy now has a very important role to play in proving Dubai can deliver what is promised. Expect to see a lot more of her as Expo preparation gets in full swing.
06. MOHAMED AL MADY, VICE CHAIRMAN AND CEO, SABIC ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 05 AL MADY HAS spent more than a decade and a half as CEO completing the dramatic transformation of SABIC into the world's biggest chemical maker. He took over in 1998 and continued its expansion to become the largest listed company in the Middle East. SABIC grew from a firm that employed six people in 1976 to one that employs 40,000 staff and boasts a market capitalisation of over $71 billion. Al Mady's recent moves have seen the company enhance its presence in Asia with new technology centres opened in China and India.
07.
AZIZA AL YOUSEF, SAUDI FEMALE DRIVER ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY AL-YOUSEF IS A well-known advocate of the struggle to end the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia. The computer science university lecturer has driven numerous times and was arrested for doing so in November 2013. That same month she had an audience with Saudi's Interior Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, via teleconference in which she conveyed a message to end the driving ban. Her next step is to try to reach ruler King Abdullah with a letter featuring thousands of signatures in support of ending the ban.
08.
AHMAD MOHAMED AL SAYED, CEO, QATAR INVESTMENT AUTHORITY ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 08 AL SAYED WAS promoted to CEO of Qatar Investment Authority in June 2013 placing him in charge of the sovereign wealth fund of one of the world's richest nations. His appointment came as part of last year's power handover in the country and he is expected to put his previous experience in charge of Qatar Holding to good use, helping the country invest its gas riches in the build up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
09.
HE MOHAMED ALI ALABBAR, CHAIRMAN, EMAAR ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR REAL ESTATE 2013 RANK 06 THE CHAIRMAN, WHO has been instrumental in shaping the region's real estate landscape, is also a trusted advisor to Dubai's Ruler, HH Sheikh Mohammed. In a sign that Emaar has balanced its books after Dubai's real estate crisis, the company announced a 50 per cent rise in Q3 net profit in 2013 and launched a number of new projects including a $3 billion development in Iraqi Kurdistan. Charismatic Alabbar runs 60 global companies beneath the Emaar banner, spanning global real estate, health and services.
10.
CARLOS GHOSN, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, RENAULT/NISSAN ORIGIN LEBANON RESIDENCE BRAZIL SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 09 GHOSN SHOT TO fame in the 1990s for his miraculous turnaround of ailing carmaker Nissan, taking the Japanese firm from a $6 billion loss to a $2.7 billion profit in just one year. Nicknamed "Mr.
Fix It", he runs both Nissan and Paris- based Renault, and has won plaudits for his decision to use his two firms to jointly develop the world's first lineup of electric cars, starting with the Nissan Leaf. In 2013 Ghosn built upon Renault Nissan's alliance with Mitsubishi and established a new JV in China, the world's largest auto market.
11.
MOHAMED BIN ISSA AL JABER, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, MBI INTERNATIONAL ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR REAL ESTATE 2013 RANK 12 SAUDI BILLIONAIRE MOHAMED Bin Issa Al Jaber is the third richest man in Saudi Arabia, according to Forbes.
His conglomerate MBI International has interests in many sectors. Its reach extends to hotels, real estate, oil and gas and agro- industries in Europe, the Middle East and the US. MBI currently has a net asset value in excess of $9 billion and Forbes valued Al Jaber's net worth at $7 billion in March 2013.
12.
BAKR BINLADIN, CHAIRMAN, BINLADIN GROUP ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR REAL ESTATE 2013 RANK 13 BAKR BINLADIN IS chairman of colossal construction conglomerate, the Saudi Binladin Group. The group has been involved with several major projects in the country, including the King Abdullah Economic City, the King Abdul Aziz International Airport, and the King Saud University. The property giant has also signed a $1 billion deal to build the world's tallest building, the Kingdom Tower, in Jeddah 13.
LUBNA OLAYAN, CEO, OLAYAN FINANCING COMPANY ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 14 ONE OF THE world's most influential businesswomen, Lubna Olayan manages numerous investments under the billion-dollar Olayan Financing Company (OFC), which controls all of the family's investments. The Olayan family itself is thought to be worth around $12.4 billion. Established in 1947, the Olayan Group began as a logistics firm, but has grown into a vast conglomerate that owns over 50 companies with stakes in various others. In 2013 Olayan signed a distribution JV with food giant Modelez International, to expand its presence in Saudi.
14.HAYAT SINDI, MEDICAL RESEARCHER ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR SCIENCE 2013 RANK 39 DR HAYAT SINDI is the first Saudi and Muslim woman in the Middle East to obtain a PhD in biotechnology. She invented MARS, a biotechnology machine, and also co-founded Diagnostics for All, a non-profit that develops disease diagnosis. In 2013 she was appointed to Saudi Arabia's Shura Council and was one of 26 experts selected for the newly constituted United Nations Scientific Advisory Board by Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. She also became the first Saudi and first female scientist to be selected as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for sciences.
15.
KHALDOON KHALIFA AL MUBARAK, CEO AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, MUBADALA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY ORIGIN RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR 2013 RANK 15 AL MUBARAK IS a prolific businessman and a trusted advisor to the Crown Prince, HH Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Emirati sits at the helm of Mubadala Development Company Abu Dhabi's billion-dollar sovereign wealth investment vehicle, with high profile stakes in numerous firms across the world. Outside of the business world, he is more widely known as the chairman of Manchester City Football Club. In 2013 Al Mubarak spearheaded Mubadala's $5 billion deal with Guinea to develop a bauxite mine and alumina refinery in the country.
16.
SHEIKHA AL-MAYASSA BINT HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI, CHAIRWOMAN, QATAR MUSEUMS AUTHORITY ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY THE SISTER OF Qatar's Emir jumped to the top of ArtReview's 2013 ranking of the 100 most influential figures in 2013 on account of her organisation's vast purchasing power and willingness to spend. Sheikh Mayassa's profile as a major art investor soared following reports that Qatar had paid $250 million for one of Cezanne's "The Card Players" in 2012. Her estimated yearly spend on art is around $1 billion.
17.
H.E MOHAMMED AL SHAIBANI, CEO, INVESTMENT CORPORATION OF DUBAI AND DIRECTOR GENERAL OF RULER'S COURT ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR FINANCE AS THE CONTROLLER of Dubai's commercial and business assets, to say Al Shaibani has his fingers in many pies would be an understatement. The fund's investment portfolio reads like a who's who of Dubai business with the likes of Emirates, Emaar Properties, Emirates NBD and SHUAA Capital only the tip of the iceberg. Notable investments in 2013 included the acquisition of Atlantis Hotel from Dubai World while the company also inked a $2.5 billion five-year loan facility.
18.
HE ABDUL AZIZ AL GHURAIR, CEO, MASHREQ ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 18LEADING THE BANK founded by his father during the oil boom in 1967, Al Ghurair has been widely credited with taking Mashreq's total assets to around $20 billion. Al Ghurair is also the chairman of DIFC Authority, chairman of Emirates Banks Association and on the board of Emirates Foundation. With a net worth of $2.9 billion in 2013, he is the 401st richest person in the world.
19.
IQBAL AL ASSAAD, DOCTOR ORIGIN PALESTINE RESIDENCE US SECTOR SCIENCE TWENTY-YEAR-OLD AL ASSAAD graduated from Cornell University's Qatar branch last year aged 20 becoming the youngest ever Arab doctor. From a young age she excelled in her education, graduating from high school aged 12. Aged 13 she was noticed by Lebanon's education minister who helped her secure a medical scholarship in Qatar. She is now in the US for a residency in pediatrics at the Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio but dreams of returning to the Middle East to work as a doctor in Lebanon, providing medical aid in the refugee camps she would visit as a child.
20.
SHEIKH SULAIMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL-RAJHI, CHAIRMAN, AL RAJHI BANK ORIGIN RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR 2013 RANK 20 SAUDI BORN SHEIKH Sulaiman Al-Rajhi has supervised a strong performance for Al Rajhi Bank, the Kingdom's first and largest Islamic lender. In 2012 the bank reported the highest net profit of any bank in Saudi Arabia, increasing seven per cent to SAR7,885 billion. Much of the firm's success can be attributed to the stewardship of Sheikh Sulaiman, who has a net worth of $6 billion and is Saudi Arabia's fourth richest man.
21.
SHEIKHA MAHA MANSOUR SALMAN JASIM AL THANI, JUDGE ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY SHEIKHA MAHA BECAME Qatar's first female judge in 2010 after being sworn in by the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Masoud Mohammad Amiri. Her appointment was a source of optimism for women across the country as a sign that they too could assume important leadership and judicial positions. At the time Al Thani said she hoped the decision would pave the way for more women to enter the field and join her as judges or assistant judges.
22 SALMAN AL OUDA, SAUDICLERIC,MUSLIMSCHOLAR, DIRECTOR ISLAM TODAY ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY FORMER HARDLINE CLERIC Al-Ouda first came to prominence as part of a group that issued two reform petitions to the Kingdom's ruler in the early 90s before being imprisoned for anti government activities. Today he is increasingly influential in the Muslim world due to his website IslamToday. net and the dozens of books he has published. The cleric also has over four million followers on Twitter. Among his most prominent moments have been his criticisms of the September 11 attacks in a letter to Osama Bin Laden and in March 2013 when he issued an open letter to the Saudi government calling for reform.
23.
KBAR AL BAKER, CEO, QATAR AIRWAYS ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR TRANSPORT 2013 RANK 22 KNOWN AS ONE of the biggest characters in the aviation scene, Al Baker ended 2013 on a high. Qatar Airways became the first foreign airline to obtain a carrier license in Saudi Arabia and Al Baker also secured a $19 billion order for 50 new Boeing 777s at the Dubai Airshow. In 2014 he is also expected to open Qatar's long delayed multi-billion dollar airport boosting Qatar Airway's capabilities in the region and globally.
24.
HE ALI SHAREEF AL EMADI, MINISTER OF FINANCE, CHAIRMAN, QNB ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 32 HAVING SUCCESSFULLY SPEARHEADED Qatar National Bank's phenomenal growth for eight years, Al Emadi was appointed Qatar's finance minister in last year's government reshuffle. He now manages the finances of the world's richest country while also maintaining some of his previous influence at QNB having been appointed chairman. The GCC's largest bank, QNB boasts a colossal 45 per cent share of Qatar's domestic market and has assets valued at over $100 billion. 25.
MOHAMMED ALSHAYA, CHAIRMAN, MH ALSHAYA ORIGIN KUWAIT RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR RETAIL 2013 RANK 19 AS THE EXECUTIVE chairman of Kuwait-based MH Alshaya, the retail division of the Alshaya Group, Mohammed Alshaya handles some of the biggest brands in the world, including Starbuck's H&M and Victoria's Secret. The holding company, Alshaya Group, is also sizeable and has interests spanning real estate, construction, hotels, IT and advertising. His family's net worth is estimated at $6.5 billion.
26.MANSOUR SALEH AL-MAIMAN, CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 23 AL-MAIMAN IS AT the helm of Saudi's biggest bank, National Commercial Bank (NCB), which had total assets worth over SAR367 billion in September 2013. NCB achieved a profit of SAR6.45 billion in 2012, a mammoth 7.3 per cent increase over the SAR6.01 billion achieved in 2011. Al-Maiman is also vice chairman of the Saudi Stock Exchange and chairman of NCB Capital Company.
27.
HH SHEIKHA MOZA BINT NASSER, CHAIRWOMAN, QATAR FOUNDATION ORIGIN RESIDENCE SECTOR 2013 RANK QATARQATAR'S PRE-EMINENT SOCIALm reformer, Sheikha Moza has played a major role in spearheading various national and international development projects. She was a driving force behind Education City and Al Jazeera Children's Channel, her efforts have seen her named as one of the world's most powerful women by Forbes and bestowed various honours including Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic and Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
28.
ABDULLA NASSER AL SUWAIDI, DIRECTOR GENERAL, ADNOC ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR ENERGY 2013 RANK 25 EVEN AS ARAB states look to diversify from oil-led growth, Al Suwaidi's role in the UAE's state-run oil producing giant ADNOC continues to be pertinent. As director of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company and a board member of several organisations, Al Suwaidi has been instrumental in renegotiating contracts with foreign companies and pushing oil concessions forward with new partners.
29.
SHEIKH KHALID BIN KHALIFA AL THANI, CEO, QATARGAS ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR ENERGY 2013 RANK 27 HAVING BUILT ONE of the world's most successful companies in less than three years, Al Thani has made Qatargas the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producing company in the world. With an annual production of 42 million tonnes, he supports Qatar's quest to become the largest LNG producer in the world.
30.
ELIE SAAB, FASHION DESIGNER ORIGIN LEBANON/PARIS RESIDENCE LEBANON ECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY 2013 RANK 30 A NAME SYNONYMOUS with haute couture in the Middle East, Saab's fame grew to international proportions when he dressed stars like Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry, Taylor Swift and Charlize Theron. In 2013 he topped off a successful year by announcing plans to launch a fashion degree in collaboration with universities in London and Lebanon to help create a regional hub for talented designers.
31.
ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR MEDIA 2013 RANK 31 AL IBRAHIM IS successfully driving the MBC Group - the region's largest media and entertainment company. From cross-over marketing channels to a multi-language news portal, MBC has also successfully evolved its social media brand. In the recent years his venture capital wing, MBC Ventures, has also been active in the entrepreneurial eco system, funding several startups including the UAE's GlamBox.
32.
NAYLA HAYEK, SHEIKH WALEED BIN IBRAHIM AL IBRAHIM, GROUP CHAIRMAN, MBC GROUP NEW ENTRYCHAIRWOMAN SWATCH GROUP, CEO HARRY WINSTON ORIGIN LEBANON RESIDENCE SWITZERLAND SECTOR RETAIL THE DAUGHTER OF Lebanese born Nicolas George Hayek became chairwoman of watchmaking giant Swatch Group, following her father's death in 2010. In 2013 she led Swatch's $1 billion acquisition of jewelry and timepiece retailer Harry Winston and is now its CEO. She also serves on the board of Dubai's Rivoli Investments, which Swatch took majority control of in November 2013. Her other responsibilities include Swatch's Middle Eastern operations as well as Hayek Immobilien and Hayek Engineering. Outside of Swatch, Nayla is an international Arabian horse judge and member of the World Arabian Horse Organisation.
33.
SHEIKH SALEH ABDULLAH KAMEL, CHAIRMAN, DALLAH ALBARAKA ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 33 WITH OVER FOUR decades of experience, Kamel is one of the most reputed businessmen in the region with a net worth of $1.95 billion according to Forbes 2013. When he's not heading the conglomerate, Kamel serves as president of the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and chairman of the General Council of Islamic Banks, among other positions.
34.
HASSAN ABDULLAH AL THAWADI, SECRETARY GENERAL, QATAR 2022 SUPREME COMMITTEE ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY 2013 RANK 34 2013 WAS A tough year for the Qatari World Cup committee, negative speculation surrounding the date of the tournament and whether Qatar would continue to be the host continued for months. An investigative piece by The Guardian shedding light on the mistreatment of workers tasked with building the football stadiums also reflected badly on the country. It is up to Al Thawadi to overcome these hurdles and show the world Qatar is capable of hosting the largest sporting event the Middle East has ever seen.
35.
MAHMOOD HASHIM AL KOOHEJI, CEO, MUMTALAKAT ORIGIN RESIDENCE SECTOR 2O13 RANK KOOHEJI WAS APPOINTED CEO of Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat in March 2012 and now oversees its $7.1 billion of assets with stakes in 40 commercial entities, including Bahrain Telecommunications Co (Batelco), Gulf Air, and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). Kooheji is also the chairman of Alba, one of the world's largest aluminium smelters, which said it was on track to exceed its 2012 production record of 890,000 in 2013.
36.
SUAD AL HUMAIDI, INVESTOR ORIGIN KUWAIT RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 36 WITH AN ESTIMATED personal wealth of $3 billion, Al Humaidi is widely regarded as an ambassador of the influential Al-Humaidi clan, as well as the face of businesswomen in the Middle East. The Kuwaiti investor has stakes in several banks, including NBK - the country's largest lender - and owns commercial and residential property across the region.
37.
BADER AL-KHARAFI, BOARD MEMBER, MA KHARAFI ORIGIN KUWAIT RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 43 AS A MEMBER of one of the richest families in the world the billionaire leads the MAK Group, which has an annual turnover of over $5 billion. Regarded as a pillar of the Kuwaiti economy, the conglomerate has interests in 25 countries across multiple sectors including banking, manufacturing, construction and food. Reports suggest the company is looking to expand its footprint further east in the coming years.
38.
ORIGIN IRAQ RESIDENCE UK SECTOR REAL ESTATE 2013 RANK 64 ZAHA HADID, DIRECTOR, ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS IRAQI-BORN ARCHITECT HADID came under fire this year when her design for Qatar's Al-Wakrah stadium was described as looking like female genitalia, while her concept for Tokyo's 2020 Olympic was considered too large and is now set to be scaled back. She was also tasked with designing a super yacht prototype for German shipbuilders Blohm+Voss, her work drawing equal levels of adoration and scorn. Despite these setbacks the Hadid name is still well respected with her contemporary designs appearing across the world, from London's Olympic Aquatics Centre to opera houses in Dubai and Guangzhou. She also holds the honour of being the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize for architecture in 2004.
39.
DR FAHAD ALMUBARAK, GOVERNOR, SAMA ORIGIN RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR 2013 RANK 11 DR ALMUBARAK WAS appointed as governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) in December 2011. As the man who presides over the central bank of the Gulf's riches and most populous nation, Mubarak's power and influence is considerable. The governor will be pivotal in maintaining Saudi Arabia's current economic boom, overseeing an upgrade in the country's Fitch credit rating last year, from stable to positive (AA-).
40.
HE SULTAN BIN NASSER AL SUWAIDI, GOVERNOR, UAE CENTRAL BANK ORIGIN RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR 2013 RANK 46 UNDER AL SUWAIDI'S guidance the UAE banking sector experienced a solid recovery in 2013, with Moody's upgrading the county's banking system from negative to stable. Continued improvements in the operating environment, greater liquidity and surge in lending have helped to increase profitability in the sector with Al Suwaidi describing confidence as "justifiably strong". He also hasn't shied away from regulation and addressed concerns in the real estate market by introducing a cap on mortgage loans.
41.
MOHAMED EL ERIAN, OUTGOING CEO, PIMCO ORIGIN EGYPT RESIDENCE US SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 07 ONE OF THE investment world's best-known figures, Mohamed El-Erian announced his resignation as CEO of trillion dollar bond giant Pimco last month. El-Erian gave no reason for his departure, which is scheduled for March. He will, however, stay on as a consultant at Pimco's parent company, Allianz. El-Erian, 55, remains a well-known commentator on the broadcast media circuit. While his next move is unconfirmed, it's likely to be highly influential. His book, When Markets Collide, was named one of the best business books of all time by The Independent.
42.
SHEIKH MOHAMMED AL AMOUDI, CHAIRMAN, MIDROC ORIGIN ETHIOPIA/SAUDI ARABIA RESIDENCE ETHIOPIA SECTOR ENERGY 2013 RANK 45 ACCORDING TO FORBES Al Amoudi is "the richest black person in the world" with a net worth of $13.5 billion recorded in March 2013. Having made a fortune executing lucrative construction contracts for the Saudi royal family, Al Amoudi is now Ethiopia's biggest investor, having invested $3.4 billion into the country recently. He also owns oil refineries and property in Sweden and Morocco.
43.
KHALID AL MUDAIFER, CEO AND PRESIDENT, MA'ADEN ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 48 AS HEAD OF the region's largest mining firm, Mudaifer is an important figure in efforts to diversify Saudi Arabia's industrial base beyond oil refining and export. Ma'aden's expansion plans include $16.8 billion worth of investments, and at the end of 2013 it secured funding for a $7 billion phosphate joint venture in the northern city of Waad al-Shimal. Elsewhere the company is working on a $10.8 billion joint venture with Alcoa, set for completion this year.
44.
HE KHADEM AL QUBAISI, CHAIRMAN, AABAR INVESTMENTS & ARABTEC ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 47 AS CHAIRMAN OF billion-dollar sovereign wealth fund Aabar, Qubaisi oversaw the acquisition of a 53 per cent controlling stake in Arabtec, the UAE's largest construction firm in May 2012. Under his leadership, Arabtec has set up a new subsidiary to develop real estate projects in the Middle East and in December 2013 the company had a backlog of projects worth about $8.2 billion. Al Qubaisi also chairs a number of plastics and petrochemical companies as well as Bahrain's First Energy Bank.
45.
NASSEF SAWIRIS, DIRECTOR AND CEO, ORASCOM CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES ORIGIN EGYPT RESIDENCE EGYPT SECTOR REAL ESTATE ONE OF THREE brothers in Egypt's richest family, Nassef Sawiris is in charge of construction company OCI, which at the beginning of last year received a $1 billion investment from a group of US investors led by Bill Gates. His family was strongly opposed to the Islamist government led by Mohamed Morsi and Nassef, along with his father Onsi, was issued a travel ban last year following a tax dispute. Throughout his tenure Sawiris has led investment strategies and international expansion, spearheading projects including a $1.4 billion fertiliser plant in Iowa US. In 2013 he was Forbes' fifth richest Arab, with an estimated net worth of $6.5 billion. 46.
KHALAF AL HABTOOR, CHAIRMAN, AL HABTOOR ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR REAL ESTATE 2013 RANK 44 AS A STATEMENT of intent Al Habtoor launched a $3 billion mega development last year with hotels and residential units and VIP penthouses worth $250 million each. The 64-year-old, who enjoys a daily game of tennis, showed his conglomerate, worth more than $6 billion, could still outshine the competition.
47.
OMAR K ALGHANIM, CEO, ALGHANIM INDUSTRIES ORIGIN KUWAIT RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 49 THIS HARVARD-EDUCATED CEO joined the management ranks of Alghanim Industries - one of the largest privately owned companies in the Gulf region with over 30 businesses in 40 countries - in 2002. In 2013 he signed partnership agreements with Honda and TOTO. He was also elected chairman of Gulf Bank, in which his family owns a majority share, adding to his positions as founding shareholder of Perella Weinberg Partners and board member of several other Alghanim family interests.
48.
SHEIKHA HANADI BINT NASSER BIN KHALID AL THANI, BUSINESSWOMAN ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 51 SHEIKHA HANADI HAS come a long way since her days as a lecturing assistant in the Economics Department of Qatar University. She is now considered integral to Qatari banking and real estate having founded Qatar Ladies Investment Company, now known as Amwal, in 1998, the first company to receive a licence for 49.
MOHAMMED ABDUL LATIF JAMEEL, CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT, ABDUL LATIF JAMEEL GROUP ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR RETAIL 2013 RANK 52 nvestment banking in Qatar. A special advisor to Standard Chartered Bank, she is also CEO of the Al Waab City Real Estate development project and deputy CEO of Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani & Sons Group.
WHEN HE'S NOT selling Toyotas and Lexus from the world's largest dealership with operations across the Middle East, Asia and parts of Europe - the Abdul Latif Jameel Group - Jameel immerses himself in philanthropic services through ALJ Community Initiatives. Focusing on youth training, employment and poverty alleviation, the scheme has created over 400,000 jobs in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco and Turkey to date. Jameel is now looking to expand his capabilities on the home front, having announced the creation of a $320 million facility for the manufacturing, assembly and distribution of cars in King Abdullah Economic City.
50.
DR. ABDUL RAHMAN AL ZAMIL, CHAIRMAN, AL ZAMIL HOLDING ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 53 AL ZAMIL IS a heavyweight of business and government in Saudi Arabia, overseeing operations in more than 60 countries in fields including shipbuilding, industrial investment, petrochemicals, air conditioning, plastics and steel. He serves as the chairman of numerous companies including the Zamil Industrial Investment Company, Zamil Holding Company, Saudi Export Development Center, the National Power Company and the Emirates Industrial City Company.
51.
JAWAD AHMED BUKHAMSEEN, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, BUKHAMSEEN ORIGIN KUWAIT RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR DIVERSIFIED 2013 RANK 54 JAWAD AHMED FOUNDED the Jawad Bukhamseen Commercial Corporation in 1957, building what is now one of Kuwait's largest financial and industrial conglomerates, the Bukhamseen Group, with assets including holdings in Kuwait International Bank and First Gulf Bank. The group is also active in real estate, retail, hospitality, education and media. His family has an estimated wealth of $7.2 billion.
52. LATIFA AL SHAALAN, SAUDI SHURA COUNCIL MEMBER ORIGIN RESIDENCE SECTOR ONE OF 30 women appointed to Saudi's Shura Council in January 2013, Latifa Al Shaalan made headlines last year as part of a group that filed a recommendation to lift a ban on women driving. Saudi women have "made many achievements... and have acquired leading positions in the government and the UN, yet they are still banned from driving. This creates a negative image abroad," she told AFP. It is down to the country's Transport Ministry to decide whether the recommendation is put into effect.
53.
BADER M. AL SA'AD, CEO AND MD, KUWAIT INVESTMENT AUTHORITY ORIGIN KUWAIT RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 55 KUWAIT'S SOVEREIGN WEALTH fund, the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) manages around $386 billion of assets. Al Sa'ad presides over all its investments, including holdings in Daimler AG, BP, Bank Of America Merrill Lynch and Arab Insurance. In 2013 it was reported that KIA was set to invest as much as $5 billion in the UK over the next three to five years.
54.
SHEIKH ISSAM ALZAHID, CHAIRMAN, ALZAHID GROUP OF COMPANIES ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 56 ISSAM ALZAHID IS chairman of the Alzahid Group of Companies, a Saudi Arabian conglomerate with a history of infrastructure building stretching back to the 1950s behind much of the basic transport infrastructure upon which the Kingdom still relies. With over $11 billion to his name, Alzahid coordinates a group that employs over 31,000 employees, with additional interests in mining, oil, gas, and many other sectors.
55.
DR NASSER MARAFIH, GROUP CEO, OOREDOO ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR TELECOMS 2013 RANK 57 IN 2013, MARAFIH oversaw Qtel's rebranding to Ooredoo, as part of plans to bring all of its emerging market operations under one banner. The company also successfully listed its Iraqi operation Asiacell, raising $1.3 billion, and won one of only two new licenses to launch telecoms services in Myanmar, beating competition from across the world. Marafih has spearheaded Ooredoo's expansion in recent years, with the operator now boasting a presence in 17 countries.
56.
ABDUL AZIZ BIN ABDULLAH AL-SUGAIR, CHAIRMAN AND ACTING CEO, SAUDI TELECOM COMPANY ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR TELECOMS AL-SUGAIR IS STEERING the ship at STC following the surprise resignation of Khaled Al-Ghoneim in March 2013 after some disappointing Q412 results. STC commands significant influence serving over 160 million customers globally with a footprint covering Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Africa. In the first nine months of 2013, STC's revenues were up 2.5 per cent led by 25 per cent growth at its controlled international subsidiaries, while EBITDA was up 3.5 per cent.
57.MOHAMMED BIN ALI AL HEDFA, GROUP CEO, QATARI DIAR ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR REAL ESTATE 2013 RANK 61 QATARI DIAR IS the property arm of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund. The firm's worldwide portfolio includes 49 projects valued at over $39 billion. Last year Diar was forced to bailout ailing property firm Barwa Real Estate, acquiring some of its assets as part of the $7.1 billion deal. In 2014 Al Hedfa appears set to restart a number of projects put on hold, including the three billion pound Chelsea Barracks development in London and a $600 million real estate project in Yemen. 58.
MUNIB AL MASRI, CHAIRMAN, PALESTINIAN DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT COMPANY (PADICO) ORIGIN PALESTINE RESIDENCE PALESTINE SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 60 KNOWN AS THE 'Palestinian Rothschild', powerful billionaire Al Masri founded EDGO, an oil and gas contracting company in Amman. His holdings are rumoured to account for a third of the Palestinian economy and he is a founding member of many of its best-known companies including Jerusalem Development and Investment Company (JEDICO), Palestine Telecommunications Group (PALTEL) and Palestinian Development and Investment Company (PADICO).
59.
HH PRINCESS AMEERAH AL-TAWEEL, VICE CHAIRPERSON, ALWALEED BIN TALAL FOUNDATION ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY 2013 RANK 59 PRINCESS AMEERAH HAS gained global recognition in recent years as a prominent spokesperson for reforms in Saudi Arabia. The vice- chairperson of the Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation, she is the wife of Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal. The foundation supports programmes for poverty alleviation, disaster relief, women's empowerment and interfaith dialogue across the world.
60.
MOHAMMAD ABU-GHAZALEH, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, FRESH DEL MONTE ORIGIN PALESTINE RESIDENCE US SECTOR RETAIL 2013 RANK 96 US-BASED FRESH DEL Monte is one of the leading distributors of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables across the world with 40,000 employees. Palestinian-born Abu-Ghazaleh, who has been heading the company since 1996, ensures that the retail giant continues to grow. He also serves as a director at a number of Middle Eastern companies including Jordan Kuwait Bank, Bank Misr Liban and Arab Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company.
61.
DR CHARLES ELACHI, DIRECTOR, JET PROPULSION LABORATORY ORIGIN LEBANON RESIDENCE US SECTOR SCIENCE 2013 RANK 29 PROBABLY THE WORLD'S best- known Arab scientist, Elachi garnered further international fame in 2012 when he oversaw this century's biggest scientific achievement so far: NASA's Curiosity rover landing on Mars. No wonder then that he's already received awards such as the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award - the highest honour given by the Space Foundation - and The Legion of Honour - the highest decoration in France.
62.
ZUHAIR MURAD, FASHION DESIGNER ORIGIN LEBANON RESIDENCE LEBANON SECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY 2013 RANK 62 A RENOWNED NAME in the world of fashion, Zuhair Murad's creations have proven particularly popular with Twilight star Kristen Stewart, who has been spotted wearing them on the red carpet for the last few years. The Lebanese designer has dressed numerous celebrities and his collection is available through over 80 multi- brand outlets and stores across the world. In addition to haute couture, Murad's line includes menswear and accessories.
63. SULTAN AL QASSEMI, CURRENT AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR MEDIA 2013 RANK 82 ALREADY A WELL-KNOWN name in UAE media circles, Sultan al-Qassemi rose in prominence in 2013 following the publication of his controversial op-ed in a Dubai daily calling for citizenship to be opened to foreigners. Describin himself as a commentator on Arab affairs on Twitter, he now has over 269,000 followers and continues to comment on political and economic issues in the region. He is also the founder and chairman of Barjeel Securities, a financial products company. 64.
MARWAN MARZOUK BOODAI, CEO, BOODAI GROUP AND CHAIRMAN, JAZEERA AIRWAYS ORIGIN KUWAIT RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 66 THE RENOWNED KUWAITI businessman guided Jazeera Airways to register its most profitable year to date in figures for the first nine months of 2013. The Middle East's first private sector airline also launched services to Dubai's newly opened Al Maktoum International in October last year. Marwan Boodai also manages the Boodai Group, a supplier of heavy construction machinery and industrial tools across the GCC.
65.
SULTAN AHMED BIN SULAYEM, CHAIRMAN, DP WORLD ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 68 BIN SULAYEM HAS been a prominent figure in Dubai's business environment for decades, having helped establish the Dubai government's first tax-free zone at Jebel Ali in 1985, property developer Nakheel and Istithmar investment holding company. Under his leadership, DP World, the world's third biggest ports firm operates more than 65 terminals across six continents including new developments underway in India, Africa, Europe, South America and the Middle East. In the final quarter of 2013 the company opened the London Gateway Port, which is set to handle 3.5 million TeU a year.
66.
TARIQ ABDULLAH AL QAHTANI, CHAIRMAN, ABDEL HADI ABDULLAH AL QAHTANI GROUP OF COMPANIES ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 69 TARIQ ABDULLAH SITS at the helm of one of the oldest, most respected and well-diversified corporate groups in Saudi Arabia. Founded in the 1940s as a wholesale supplier of food and materials, the business has diversified into numerous areas including oil and gas. The group also has offices in the US, Europe and other international locations.
67.
EISSA MOHAMED AL SUWAIDI, CHAIRMAN, ETISALAT ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR TELECOMS 2013 RANK 7 AL SUWAIDI HAD a patient but productive 2013, having held negotiations with Vivendi for much of the year to acquire the company's 53 per cent stake in Maroc Telecom. Etisalat fought off competition from other bidders eventually reaching a $5.3 billion deal in November that will continue the operator's strategy of diversifying through expansion into African markets. Al Suwaidi also serves as chairman of the UAE's third largest bank ADCB.
68.YOUSSEF AL-SHELASH, CHAIRMAN, DAR AL-ARKAN ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR REAL ESTATE 2013 RANK 70 A PIONEER OF Saudi Arabia's property industry, Al-Shelash is the chairman of Dar Al-Arkan Real Estate Development Company, the largest developer in the Kingdom. Al-Shelash has predicted that housing supply could lag behind demand for the next five years, providing lucrative opportunities for developers. He is also eyeing new projects in Europe and further malls in Saudi Arabia. A lawyer by profession, Al-Shelash also serves as the chairman and non-executive director of Bahrain based Bank AlKhair.
69.
SAEED AL MAZROOEI, CEO AND PRESIDENT, EMAL ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 89 FOLLOWING A LONG awaited deal signed last year by parent company Mubadala, Emal is set to merge with Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) becoming Emirates Global Aluminium, the world's fifth largest aluminium company with an enterprise value of more than $15 billion. Al Mazrooei will oversee the UAE operations of the new company, including an expansion to create the world's largest single-site aluminum smelter. The site is considered crucial for Abu Dhabi's 2030 diversification strategy, which aims to see a greater contribution from industry.
70. ADEL ALI, GROUP CEO, AIR ARABIA ORIGIN BAHRAIN RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR TRANSPORT 2013 RANK 77AIR ARABIA CELEBRATED its tenth anniversary in 2013 with Ali declaring the airline's intention to serve all airports in the Arab world over the next decade. MENA's first and largest low cost carrier continues to expand, securing traffic rights to serve three to four Chinese destinations from this year. The company is also set to order its next wave of aircraft in 2014 in preparation for 2017 and beyond, with its final A320 aircraft from Airbus set to arrive in 2016.
71. MAJID AL FUTTAIM, PRESIDENT, MAF ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR DIVERSIFIED 2013 RANK 72 NAMED THE UAE'S richest businessman by Forbes, with a net worth of $3.6 billion, the Dubai-based entrepreneur heads the Majid Al Futtaim Group (MAF), a prominent shopping mall and retail developer. Al Futtaim plans to double the company's business to $12 billion by 2018 through a $5 billion five-year expansion plan, the bulk of which will be generated from overseas. The company also recently announced a $467 million project to build Oman's largest mall near Muscat.
72.ADEL AUJAN, CHAIRMAN, AUJAN GROUP HOLDING ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR DIVERSIFIED THE KING OF Vimto in the Middle East, Adel Aujan has a net worth of at least $1.3 billion, according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. His company Aujan Industries is the region's largest independent beverage company with three cornerstone brands, Vimto, Rani and Barbican. Aujan has been aggressively expanding to new markets and his drinks are now sold in 70 countries, with more than 70 per cent of revenue coming from the GCC. As a testament to his success, beverage giant Coca Cola bought approximately half of the company for $980 million in 2012.
73.
NEMIR KIRDAR, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN AND CEO, INVESTCORP ORIGIN IRAQ RESIDENCE UK SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 71 KIRDAR OVERSEES THE worldwide operations of the Bahraini investment firm, which has around $10.5 billion of assets under management, with bases in London and New York. The investment firm recently inked a deal to acquire $270 million of real estate assets in the US including property in Chicago, Austin and Las Vegas. Kirdar is also a writer and has penned a book on Iraq.
74.
HE SULTAN AL JABER, MINISTER OF STATE, CEO AND MD, MASDAR ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR ENERGY 2013 RANK 73 TASKED WITH REDUCING the energy use of a country with among the world's largest carbon footprints per citizen, Al Jaber is at the forefront of Abu Dhabi's renewable energy drive. He spearheaded the launch and establishment of Masdar in 2006, and also serves as the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and UAE's Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change.
75.
DR. ABDALLA ALNAJJAR, PRESIDENT, ARAB SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR SCIENCE 2013 RANK 42 ONE OF THE rare Arab scientists based in the Middle East, Dr. Alnajjar continues to make the region proud. By initiating measures like using scientific innovation to achieve economic development raising funds for human capital, forging tie-ups with international companies and opening offices in countries that need sustainable sustenance, he is truly a scientist with a heart.
76.
OMAR HAMAD ALMANA, CHAIRMAN, ALMANA GROUP ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 75 THE VETERAN QATARI businessman established the Almana Group in 1961, and has since overseen its transition into a massive conglomerate with 18 subsidiaries and partnerships. Almana Group represents the likes of Ford, Chrysler, IBM, Coca-Cola and KFC in Qatar and runs the Pizza Hut franchise in Turkey. Almana is also a founding member of the Commercial Bank of Qatar, Al Ahli Bank, and the Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance.
77.
DR SAMIA AL AMOUDI, ACTIVIST (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS) ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR SCIENCE 2013 RANK 76 A BREAST CANCER survivor who when diagnosed in 2006 was the first Saudi women to write publicly about the disease. She later became the first GCC woman to sit on the board of the Union for International Cancer Control in 2012.
A consultant obstetrician gynecologist, she is the founder/CEO of the Sheikh Mohammed H. Al-Amoudi Center of Excellence in Breast Cancer and chairwoman of Women's Health Empowerment at King Abdulaziz University.
78.
ABDALLA SALEM EL-BADRI, SECRETARY GENERAL, OPEC ORIGIN LIBYA RESIDENCE AUSTRIA SECTOR ENERGY AS SECRETARY GENERAL of the world's largest oil cartel, Abdalla Salem El-Badri, commands significant power and influence. He has been balancing the needs of energy hungry nations and oil producers since 2007 having previously served as Libyan Oil Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. With oil prices comfortably above OPEC's desired level of $100 barrel El-Badri has plenty to smile about and with members unable to reach a consensus on a new candidate he is expected to maintain his position for another year.
79. SAID KHOURY, CHAIRMAN, CCC ORIGIN PALESTINE RESIDENCE GREECE SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 78 IN 1952, WITH cousin Hasib Sabbagh, Said Khoury founded Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC). It now sees sales of $4 billion a year. In political circles he is best known for his work championing the Palestinian cause, as he chairs the Palestinian Businessmen's Association.
80.DR KHAWLA AL KURAYA, CANCER RESEARCHER, SHURA COUNCIL MEMBER ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR SCIENCE THE PRINCIPAL CLINICAL scientist at King Faisal Hospital and Research Centre is a prominent international figure in cancer research. She has produced research articles published in scientific journals across the world and was the first scientist to identify the FOSM1 gene that leads to the formation of cancer cells. In 2010 Al Kuraya became the first Saudi woman to be awarded the First Rank King Abdulaziz Award For Excellence by King Abdullah in recognition of her achievements in cancer research and in 2013 she was nominated for Saudi's Shura Council.
81.
BASEEM YOUSSEF, CARDIAC SURGEON, SATIRIST AND COLUMNIST ORIGIN EGYPT RESIDENCE EGYPT SECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY ONE OF THE Arab countries' most web searched celebrities in 2013, former cardiac surgeon Bassem Youssef hosted El Barnameg, a satirical news programme. He first made headlines for making fun of Mohammed Morsi on air during the president's short tenure, but then later - following Morsi's removal from power - for doing the same to the country's new military rulers. They immediately filed legal complaints and summoned him to the state prosecution office. This led to the show's cancellation, but Youssef says he hopes to be back on television screens soon.
82. MOHAMMED ASSAF, WINNER, ARAB IDOL ORIGIN RESIDENCE SECTOR PALESTINE CULTURE AND SOCIETY LAST YEAR MOHAMMED Assaf travelled from the Gaza Strip to Egypt to audition for Arab Idol, the trip taking him two days due to car complications at the border. Little did he know that the real journey was just ahead. His take on classic Arabic songs saw him crowned winner of the second series of Arab Idol, gaining widespread popularity throughout the Arab world in the process. Assaf has since been named goodwill ambassador for peace by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and ambassador of culture and arts by the Palestinian government.
83. SHEIKHA AL BAHAR, CEO, NATIONAL BANK OF KUWAIT ORIGIN KUWAIT RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 84 AS WELL AS being the CEO of NBK, Sheikha Al Bahar is a board member of various divisions within the bank and has been involved in all of the Kuwait Investment Authority's (KIA) privatisation deals since 1994. A coveted public speaker, Al Bahar is chairperson of NBK Lebanon and a board member of International Bank of Qatar (IBQ), National Bank of Kuwait (International) and more. Following the retirement of group CEO Ibrahim Dabdoub, set to take effect this year, Al Bahar's experience could see her play an even greater role at the lender.
84. IBRAHIM DABDOUB, FORMER CEO, NBK ORIGIN PALESTINE RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 26 AFTER 30 YEARS at the helm, making him one of the world's longest serving bank execs, Dabdoub announced plans to retire last year, coming into effect on the date of NBK's 2014 annual general meeting. He guided the bank through the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 as well as local and global financial crises, helping transform NBK from a local bank into a major regional lender with offices in 16 countries. Dabdoub will continue to work as a consultant to the board of directors and in a number of senior advisory roles across the Arab world.
85.
HUSSAIN IBRAHIM ALFARDAN, CHAIRMAN, AL FARDAN GROUP ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR DIVERSIFIED 2013 RANK 85 THE ALFARDAN GROUP is a diversified business that trades in jewellery, watches, automobiles, property development, money exchange and investments. Alfardan's sphere of influence is multi-faceted: he is the chairman of property developer Union Development Corporation, the managing director of the Commercial Bank of Qatar, and is one of the founding directors of Investcorp. Forbes ranked Alfardan and his family 47th on its list of richest Arabs in 2013, with an estimated fortune of $452.6 million.
86.
ORIGIN BAHRAIN RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR INDUSTRY 2013 RANK 83 MISHAL KANOO HAS held his position at the Kanoo Group since 1997 and is one of the most outspoken and divisive voices in Middle Eastern affairs. He sits on the boards of over 15 companies ranging in size from $10 million to over $1 billion and his other positions include CEO of AXA Gulf and Bahrain International Group Services. Kanoo is a regular speaker at Gulf conferences and once taught a course on family business at the American University of Sharjah.
87.
MAHA KHALID AL-GHUNAIM, CHAIRPERSON AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, GLOBAL INVESTMENT HOUSE ORIGIN KUWAIT RESIDENCE KUWAIT SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 87 A CO-FOUNDER OF GIH in 1998, Ghunaim helped the investment house to become the first Kuwaiti firm to list on the London Stock Exchange. After signing a deal with Kuwait Finance House to restructure KD49.5 million dinars it owes in debts, KFH lowered its shareholding in GIH by 3.32 per cent to 21.84 per cent. She sits on the board of Qatar Endowment Fund and National Industries Group and is a member of the Financial and Investment Committee at Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
88.FADI GHANDOUR, FOUNDER, ARAMEX ORIGIN JORDAN RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 63 BEFORE GIVING UP leadership of Aramex, Ghandour led the logistics firm's rapid international growth and listing as the first Arab-based company on the NASDAQ stock exchange. He is now focused on developing the Middle East's entrepreneurial ecosystem and helps mentor, support and fund startups through his roles as founding partner of Maktoob.com and board member at Abraaj Capital. The former Aramex chief is also founder of Ruwwad for development, a private sector-led community empowerment initiative.
89. FATIMA AL JABER, COO, AL JABER GROUP ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR DIVERSIFIED 2013 RANK 91 UAE NATIONAL AL Jaber is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Al Jaber Group, overseeing 50,000 staff and assets of $5 billion. She is considered an ambassador for women in the workplace and is the chairwoman of the Executive Authority for Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council. She is also the first Emirati woman to be elected to the board of directors at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.
90.
FADY MICHEL ABOUCHALACHE, CEO, QUILVEST ORIGIN LEBANON RESIDENCE FRANCE SECTOR FINANCE 2013 RANK 93 WITH $26 BILLION of assets and approximately $5 billion in private equity under management, Abouchalache has a lot of power in his hands. Luxembourg- listed Quilvest Group is an investment firm with 13 offices across the world.
The company is set to launch a major investment in the Middle East in Q1 2014, having already raised more than $100 million from six strategic local investors.
91.
ORIGIN LEBANON RESIDENCE AUSTRALIA SECTOR TRANSPORT 2013 RANK 90 AHMED FAHOUR, MD AND CEO, AUSTRALIA POST THE BOSS OF the billion-dollar Melbourne-based courier and postal service, Australia Post, came under fire in 2013 when his salary and benefits were revealed to be significantly higher than equivalent positions in other countries, at AUD4.8 million. Last year he also went about restructuring the company, separating its courier business from its traditional business, and achieved an AUD312 million full year net profit. Farhour's previous positions include interim CEO at Bahrain's Gulf Finance House and CEO of National Australia Bank, he is currently chairman of the Rip Curl Group.
92ESSA KAZIM, CHAIRMAN DFM, CEO BORSE DUBAI, GOVERNOR DIFC ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR FINANCE KAZIM HAS BECOME a major figure in Dubai's financial sector over the last year having been promoted from CEO to chairman of Dubai Financial Market, which was up around 107 per cent in 2013. He was also appointed head of the emirate's economic hub Dubai International Financial Centre and maintained his positions as CEO of Bourse Dubai and Nasdaq Dubai. On top of his promotions, speculation that DFM may merge with Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange means Kazim could make headlines in 2014.
93. ABDULLAH BIN SAOUD ORIGIN QATAR RESIDENCE QATAR SECTOR FINANCE HAVING SET OUT a strategic plan for 2013 to 2017 to establish an effective regulatory framework that maintains financial stability and supports economic growth, there are important years ahead for the Qatar Financial Markets Authority. Especially given that Qatar is planning to conduct IPOs worth QAR50 billion on its stock market over the next 10 years beginning with Qatar Petroleum unit Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co.
94. AHMED HASSANZEWAIL, SCIENTIST DR OMAR BIN ABDUL MUNIM AL ZAWAWI, BUSINESSMAN ORIGIN EGYPT RESIDENCE EGYPT SECTOR SCIENCE HAVING BEEN FOND of science as a child, Zewail's parents sought to encourage him by posting a small sign stating 'Dr Ahmed' outside his study. Little did they know that he would exceed their expectations, becoming the first Egyptian scientist to win a Nobel Prize in a scientific field in 1999 for his work in femtochemistry. The proclaimed "father of femtochemistry" is Linus Pauling chair professor of chemistry and professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology. In 2009 he was also named by Barack Obama as one of the first three US science envoys to Islam.
95.
ELIAS ZERHOUNI, CHAIRMAN, GLOBAL R&D, SANOFI PHARMACEUTICALS ORIGIN ALGERIA RESIDENCE US SECTOR SCIENCE THE PRESIDENT OF global R&D at the world's fourth largest pharma company, Sanofi, is a well-recognised radiologist and medical researcher. His work led to major advances in CAT scanning and MRI on the back of which he founded or co-founded five start up companies. From 2002 to 2008 Zerhouni served as the director of the US National Institutes of Health, after being appointed by George Bush, and during his tenure sought to chart a roadmap for medical research. He was also one of the first appointed US science envoys to Islam in 2010.96.DR OMAR BIN 96.
ABDUL MUNIMAL ZAWAWI, BUSINESSMAN ORIGIN OMAN RESIDENCE OMAN SECTOR DIVERSIFIED 2013 RANK 97 OMAR AL ZAWAWI is a man of many hats. He is the special advisor for External Liaison to Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and the chairman of Omzest, one of the sultanate's largest diversified groups. Al Zawawi was also the founding chairman of Muscat Finance, and under his leadership, Oman International Bank, part of Omzest, merged with HSBC in 2012.
97.
AHMED ALI MOHAMED AL SAYEGH, CHAIRMAN, ABU DHABI GLOBAL MARKETPLACE ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR FINANCE AL SAYEGH HAS been appointed chairman of Abu Dhabi's much- anticipated financial free zone, an integral step towards Global Marketplace Abu Dhabi (GMAD) becoming a reality. Al Sayegh is also deputy chairman of Abu Dhabi Media, CEO of Dolphin Energy Limited, chairman of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (MASDAR), and a board member of numerous private and government institutions .98.
HUSSAIN SAJWANI, CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER, DAMAC GROUP ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR REAL ESTATE AFTER BEING AMONG the worst hit by the 2008 Dubai property crash, Damac was back with a bang in 2013, announcing a series of new projects across the Middle East. Damac partnered with several high profile names for these developments including Italian designer FENDI, film studio Paramount and the Trump Organisation. On top of new buildings in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, the company also announced its intention to enter Iraq with the $100 million Princess Tower project. Sajwani then finished the year by selling off some of his Damac shares in a London IPO raising $348 million.
99.
MOHAMMAD AL ZUBAIR, FOUNDER, AL ZUBAIR FOUNDATION ORIGIN OMAN RESIDENCE OMAN SECTOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY 2013 RANK 98 RASHAD BIN MOHAMMAD Al-Zubair founded the Zubair Foundation and serves as a deputy chairman and group president. Though he now devotes his time to philanthropic activities, Al-Zubair is also economic planning affairs advisor to the Sultan of Oman, chairman of Oman Arab Bank Saoc and director of the capital market authority - Muscat Securities Market's regulatory body.
100.
ZIAD BIN MOHAMMED AL-SHIHA,CEO, SAUDI ELECTRICITY COMPANY ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR ENERGY THE NEW CEO of Saudi Electricity Company is tasked with making the company's electric grid and operations more efficient while realising the government's ambitious power development plan. In his previous role as executive director for power systems at Saudi Aramco, Al-Shiha promoted cogeneration plants, and previously estimated that the country could save hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil per day by increasing efficiency in supply and demand. Saudi Arabia is set to spend more than $186 billion in the next two decades to upgrade its water and electricity production.
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