The World’s Richest Arabs Meet The Global Billionaires Of 2014

Forbes Middle East has released its long awaited line up of the world’s top 100 richest Arabs. The April issue of Forbes Middle East, which also highlight’s FORBES’ renowned list of global billionaires, showcases an impressive list of billionaires and multi-millionaires hailing from 13 countries across the Arab world. Combined, their fortunes amount to a huge $166.07 billion. Whether self-made or from families of fortune, each has amassed in excess of $140 million and of the top 100 names, 45 are billionaires—four more than 2013—sharing total wealth of $147.7 billion.

Continuing his reign at the top, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud takes the number one spot with an estimated $20.4 billion, followed by Lebanese-Brazilian Joseph Safra in second with $16 billion, and Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al Amoudi in third with a total of $15.3 billion.

Revered names from Egypt and the UAE also feature amongst the top ten, while Algeria makes its first billionaire appearance with self-made food industries tycoon, Issad Rebrab. Alongside Algeria’s entry, 10 further Arab newcomers feature this year. Meanwhile, on the global scene, Jan Koum, the man behind Whatsapp, enters the billionaire ranks for the first time following the headline-grabbing $19 billion deal with Facebook.

Continuing the theme of rising stars, Forbes Middle East’s cover story features Omar Alghanim, CEO of Alghanim Industries and son of the company’s billionaire chairman Kutayba Alghanim, as he seeks to continue the success of his family’s multi-billion dollar conglomerate.

Out of the 100 trailblazing tycoons on this year’s list, Saudi Arabia takes the lead with 39 rich residents and a combined wealth of $64.9 billion. Where number of entries is concerned, Egypt ranks second with 15 names followed by the UAE with 14, while Lebanon clinches the runner-up spot in terms of combined wealth, with a sum of $30.65 billion.

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