Dubai/Mangalore, Oct 6: For the fourth successive year, Yusuffali MA, an Abu Dhabi-based businessman of Kerala origin has emerged as the most powerful Indian businessman in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in a '100 most powerful Indians' list announced by Arabian Business magazine.
Mr Yusuffali, who owns the Lulu Hypermarkets chain of stores, took the top slot ahead of food giant Feroz Allana.
The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This year's list also featured a record 11 female entries. UAE-based medical professional and entrepreneur Zulekha Daud secured 20th position in the list. Dubai-based Jumbo Group chairperson Vidya Chhabria ranked 39th.
The list was propped up by Geebee Group boss GB Jethwani in 100th place.
"The contribution of the Indian community to the growth of the GCC has been nothing short of spectacular, and everyone on this list has played and continues to play a major part in that story," Arabian business editor Ed Attwood said in a statement.
A gala dinner is being held on October 28 at The Conrad Hotel in Dubai to celebrate the list, with Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar appearing as the guest of honour.
Mangalorean achievers
Born in a Bunt family to Shambhu Shetty and Koosamma Shetty in 1942 in undivided Dakshina Kannada district, Dr B R Shetty currently is the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi based New Medical Centre Group of Companies and UAE Exchange. The company when established in 1975 was initially interested in hospitals and hospitality, but since then has diversified into sectors including pharmaceuticals, global financial services, retail, advertising and Information technology.
Dr Shetty arrived in the UAE in 1973. As a trained pharmacist he quickly spotted an opportunity in the country's healthcare sector and in 1n the UAE following the acquisition of the National Hospital in Abu Dhabi. Today, it has hospitals and clinics across the Emirates and treats more than one million patients a year.
In addition to its hospitals and clinics the NMC Group has a string of diversified business interests covering financial services, trading in pharmaceuticals, education and advertising.
He is considering opening hospitals in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with further expansion across the MENA region once political stability returns.
Rightly called as the “Man from Ajman who can”, Thumbay Moideen was plucked from the timber and construction industry to set up the Gulf Medical University in Ajman in the mid-1990s. Nowadays, the group employs more than 1,500 staff, and is hoping to hire more than 7,000 in the next five years.
Born to Ahamed Hajee Mohiudeen and Bee Fathima Ahmed Hajee couple on March, 23, 1957, in the town of Thumbay near Mangalore, Mr Moideen took to business at the young age of 21 years, and demonstrated his business acumen right from the beginning. Handling the mantle of the large business house established by his father in 1957, he took the businesses to great heights within a few years.
He is the Founder President of Thumbay Group. Established in 1997, the U.A.E. based Thumbay Group initially evolved as a major healthcare player in the region and has since ventured into Education, Healthcare, Research, Diagnostics, Insurance services, Health Communications, Trading, Retail, Hospitality, Real Estate and Publishing.
100 most powerful Indians in the GCC
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