Dubai: Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim has been named as the world's richest person, knocking Microsoft founder Bill Gates into second spot.
Forbes magazine estimates Slim's net worth at $53.5 billion (Dh196.35 billion) in its annual rich list, compared to Gates' $53 billion, while investor Warren Buffett came in at No 3 with $47 billion.
Asia has 234 people in the Forbes list, up from 130 in 2009. Two of the richest among the top 10 are Indians. In total, India has 49 billionaires on the list, up 24 compared to 2009. China has 27 new billionaires among its total of 64 on the list.
In the Middle East, Saudi Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Al Saud, head of Kingdom Holding, still tops the list of the region's richest. His current net worth is estimated by Forbes at $19.4 billion, up $6.1 billion from last year.
