Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal tops Arab Billionaires List
Author: Posted by BI-ME staffSource: BI-MEPublished: Sun April 8, 2012 2:57 pm
UAE. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Lebanon record the highest number of billionaires, while 2012 welcomes newcomer Morocco to the billionaires club.Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud tops the Arab billionaires list with a fortune of US$18 billion.
UAE. Forbes Middle East has just revealed the Arab billionaires ranking, composed of 36 distinctive billionaires from across the Arab world with a combined total net worth of US$121.3 billion, improving on last year’s figure of US$117.6 billion.
Topping the ranking for the second year running is the Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud with a fortune of US$18 billion, followed in second place by Lebanese-Brazilian billionaire Joseph Safra with US$13.8 billion to his name.
Through this prestigious ranking, Forbes Middle East aims to highlight the inspirational stories of the region’s Arab billionaires, as well as the challenges and obstacles overcome on the road to success.
Both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Lebanon led the way on this ranking with eight billionaires each. Despite recent political turmoil, Egypt was runner up with seven billionaires, followed by the stable United Arab Emirates with a total of four. However, this year’s major headline was newcomer to the billionaires club, Morocco, which entered the ranking with three billionaires: Miloud Chaabi, Othman Benjelloun and Anas Sefrioui.
Kuwait ranked sixth with two billionaires, Bassam and Kutayba Alghanim, and it should be noted that Kuwait’s wealthy Al-Kharafi family were removed from the ranking following a formal request from the Kharafi Group. Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Sudan also featured in the ranking with one billionaire each.
Forbes Middle East’s editor-in-chief, Khuloud Al-Omian commented on the Arab billionaires ranking: “The motivation behind publishing this list is to deliver the powerful message, that behind these billions lay wealthy individuals who have fought long and hard, and given generously. These success stories present lessons to be learned that money cannot buy, and serve as an inspiration to us all.â€
Al-Omian added: “Inheritance is becoming the fastest and easiest way to enter the billionaires club. This begs the question: can the new generation in the Arab world advance their inherited companies or family businesses?
Statistically speaking, the Arab world’s wealthiest young people are still in the beginning stages but we hope that they can take inspiration from the brilliant minds that preceded them and the region’s key figures who still dominate the sceneâ€.
Standing out amongst the success stories featured in the Forbes Middle East billionaires issue is Sulaiman Al-Rajhi & family, ranked in 5th place with a family net worth of US$5.9 billion.
The Saudi banking tycoon-turned-philanthropist made headlines last year with an unprecedented decision to relinquish much of his fortune; distributing his wealthUS amongst family and donating a significant proportion to charity. Also standing out from the crowd is Moroccan frontrunner Miloud Chaabi, ranked 10th with a fortune of US$2.9 billion.
Following a religious education, this inspirational man started working at the age of 15 as a shepherd, then as a farmer, before moving into the construction industry. Today, he leads the Moroccan billionaires as head of Ynna Holding; a company specialized in real estate development, hotels, retail and industry.
About Forbes Middle East
Forbes Middle East is the licensed Middle Eastern version to the world renowned Forbes magazine and extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the MENA region. Forbes Middle East’s distinctive editorial style attracts a readership community of Billionaires, Powerful Arab Men and Women, Entrepreneurs, C-Level executives, government officials and investors united by a belief in the spirit of free enterprise and entrepreneurial values.
Across the region, Forbes Middle East is setting the pace for preemptive business journalism. By uncovering trends and anticipating opportunities in the regional marketplace, each monthly issue, brings top executives the information critical to their success – in both Arabic & English language editions. Forbes Middle East is the guiding compass for investments and best practices in the Arab region.
The magazine researches and publishes original and relevant Lists/Rankings, based on the criteria of neutrality, authenticity, commitment to the methodology of scientific research and the quality of standards set globally by Forbes Media, US.
.
