Dubai: At least six businessmen from the UAE have made it to the annual world billionaires list that includes Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Marck Zuckerberg.
Forbes’ latest ranking of the wealthiest people on the planet features a total of 32 Arab nationals, most of them are considered economic “pillars”, providing jobs and stability in the region. The six billionaires from the UAE have an aggregate wealth of Dh72 billion ($19.7 billion).
Here’ s a closer look at the richest billionaires from the UAE:
1.Majid Al Futtaim
Regional rank: 3
Net worth: $5 billion
Source of wealth: real estate, retail
Who is he: Majid Al Futtaim owns the Dubai-based holding company that operates shopping malls, as well as retail and leisure establishments . Some of his popular businesses include mall of the Emirates, which has an indoor ski slope and Carrefour hypermarkets.
2. Abdulla bin Ahmad Al Ghurair and family
Net worth: $4.9 billion
Source of wealth: diversified; self-made
Who is he: The father of another Emirati billionaire, Abdulaziz Al Ghurair who runs Mashreq bank, Abdulla Al Ghurair has recently pledged to set aside a third of his assets to a foundation that focuses on education programmes.
3. Hussain Sajwani
Regional rank: 8
Net worth: $3.2 billion
Source of wealth: real estate, self-made
Who is he: Hussain Sajwani is the founder of Damac Properties, one of the leading real estate developers in the UAE.
4.Abdulla Al Futtaim
Regional rank: 9
Net worth: $3.1 billion
Source of wealth: auto dealers, investments; self-made
Who is he: Abdulla Al Futtaim is the owner of Al Futtaim Group, a huge conglomerate that sells Toyota and Honda vehicles in the country. His portfolio also includes popular franchises for global brands like Ikea, Marks & Spencer and Toys “R” Us.
5.Saif Al Ghurair and family
Regional rank: 16
Net worth: $2.2 billion
Source of wealth: diversified; self-made
Who is he: Saif Al Ghurair used to be the chairman of family-owned holding company Al Ghurair Group. His six sons now manage the company’s businesses in the steel, packaging and retail industries.
6.Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani
Regional rank: 28
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Source of wealth: diversified; self-made
Who is he: Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani started a bookshop business in 1954 together with his late brother, Abdullah. His current company, AW Rostamani Holdings, is the sole distributor of Nissan, Infinity and Renault vehicles in Dubai and Northern Emirates.
