Top 100 Indian Leaders Making An Impact In The Middle East 2019

The past few years have seen an increased level of corporation between India and the Middle East, especially in fields like energy, investments and security. Over the years India has benefitted greatly from the remittances flowing in from the millions of migrant workers in the region.

Indians in the Middle East have found great success in their respective fields. Number 1 on our list is stalwart Yusuff Ali, a pioneer in the retail sector and head of LuLu Group International, the largest retailer with revenues of $7.4 billion. Thumbay Moideen, at number 8, founded one of the first private medical universities in the Gulf. Meanwhile some of the Indian leaders have been at the helm of major deals. Group CEO of Dubai Islamic Bank, Adnan Chilwan, is leading his bank to acquire another Islamic lender, Noor Bank, creating an Islamic banking giant with assets of $75 billion. Another Indian leader Naresh Bhawnani’s West Zone Group has acquired two other supermarket chains, while young guns like Divyank Turakhia made his first $1 million at 18, and his first $100 million at 23.

Our ranking of the Top 100 Indian Leaders Making An Impact In The Middle East consists of three lists. The Top Indian Pioneers list recognizes 60 founders of some the largest businesses that impact our daily lives. These achievers own the places we shop, relax or get treated. The Top Indian Executives list highlights 30 Indians who have climbed the corporate ladder to head some of the most successful organizations in the region. Most of these executives have advanced degrees and are considered subject matter experts in their respective fields. Many also had global experience heading businesses in other regions before they moved to the Middle East. The Top 10 CFOs list recognizes the finance heads.

Methodology and criteria

We reached out to over 300 companies across Middle East and sent out questionnaires. We also collected information from company annual reports, company websites and other credible media sources. We ranked them on the basis of:

· The impact they have had on the sector in which they are operating.
· The number of people they employ and/or manage.
· Number of years of experience.
· Thought leadership and other media mentions.
· Editorial points.