Dubai City, March 27: Mohamed Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties, topped the Arabian Business Dubai 100 list published, underscoring the significance of iconic properties in Dubai.
Other notable figures on the list include Hussain Sajwani of DAMAC, and Sir Tim Clark of Emirates, reflecting the key sectors that continue to drive Dubai’s remarkable growth.
Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, a long-established figure in finance, made a significant leap to the second position, while Abdulla Al Futtaim, the head of one of the region’s most influential conglomerates, made his debut in fourth place.
The annual list, published by the regional publication, serves as a “definitive ranking of the people driving that future,” highlighting leaders in industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, real estate, travel, and media.
Methodology Used
The candidates were assessed on a standardized 10-point scale across nine key areas, with “inspiration” being the most heavily weighted factor, contributing 20% of the total score, as per Arabian Business.
This year, real estate and finance again dominated the list, but newer sectors such as tech, retail, media, and public policy also emerged, showcasing a broader distribution of influence in the city’s economic growth.
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In an interesting development, 66 new names appeared on the list this year, signaling the vast opportunities available in the dynamic Gulf region.
According to Dubai Statistics Centre, expatriates make up 85% of the city’s residents, which is reflected in the composition of the list. Of the 100 individuals, 54 are Emiratis, while 46 are expatriates.
This near-even split highlights the multicultural force that drives Dubai’s economy.
These expatriates hail from diverse regions, including South Asia, the broader MENA region, Europe, and North America, all of whom play vital roles in the city’s economic engine.
This idea of multiculturalism was highlighted by Timothy Chen, General Partner at private equity firm ACHI Capital, during his talk at GITEX GLOBAL 2024.
He noted that he encounters up to 12 nationalities a day in Dubai and emphasized that such diversity must be “driven and engineered,” with the UAE offering all the necessary elements for its success.
Asia Rising
Dubai’s transformation into a tech hub has drawn comparisons to Silicon Valley and Bengaluru, further establishing its global significance.
The list also featured key government figures, including Helal Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Mattar Al Tayer.
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Moreover, Director General of the RTA, and Abdulla Al Karam from KHDA, reflecting the increasing collaboration between public and private sectors.
Looking ahead to 2026, the focus on green energy, AI advancements, and the UAE’s involvement in initiatives like the Emirates Mars Mission and the UAE Astronaut Programme is expected to bring sectors such as aerospace and advanced R&D into greater prominence.
