Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Businessmen from the UAE have asserted their influence in the recently published Forbes Middle East ranking of the region’s most powerful CEOs, claiming almost half of the top 100 spots on the list. The UAE’s growing leadership in the business world is even more pronounced at the very top, where five out of the top 10 positions are held by Emirati nationals and residents.
Forbes Middle East dropped its annual list of the top CEOs in the Middle East on Wednesday, highlighting the most prominent leaders who have delivered outstanding performance and made a significant impact on the business world over the past year.
This year’s list includes 100 business leaders representing 19 nationalities. Emirati nationals topped the list with 27 CEOs, followed by Egyptians with 21, and Saudis with 14. In total, 46 CEOs are either UAE nationals or residents.
His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Group CEO and Managing Director of ADNOC came in second, while His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, secured the third place. The first place was claimed by Amin H. Nasser, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco, who maintained his position as one of the most prominent leaders in the energy sector.
Syed Basar Shuaib, CEO and Managing Director of International Holdings Company (IHC) and member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also made a significant leap, moving up four places from ninth to fifth.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, an Emirati multinational logistics company based in Dubai, came in seventh, while Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of Etisalat, Egyptian national and UAE resident, was ranked ninth.
Overall, the banking sector dominates the list with 19 leaders, followed by the real estate sector with 10 leaders, reflecting the boom witnessed by both industries in recent years.
