Lulu Hypermarkets’ chief Yusuffali MA topped the Arabian Business Indian Power List for the second successive year. However, the retailer was one of the few rankings not to change in the 2012 list.
The founding shareholder of Bharti Airtel, Raghuvinder Kataria, was ranked second, with IFFCO Group’s Feroz Allana in third place. Saudi Arabia-based construction mogul Ravi Pillai took fourth place, ahead of Landmark Group founder Micky Jagtiani.
The 2012 list is dominated by retailers, who account for 26 places on the list, ahead of bankers and industrialists with 24 spots. The healthcare industry is also well represented with eight positions, the same number as construction and real estate.
Ed Attwood, editor of Arabian Business, said: “This list is the most comprehensive guide to Indian success in the region. With close to four million Indians living in the GCC, it is clear that they have made a huge contribution to the growth of the region’s economies. But our list is not just full of business leaders – it includes scientists, doctors, artists and sports stars.”
The list is being officially launched at a gala dinner held at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeriah Hotel today, hosted by the Consul General of India Sanjay Verma. All 100 individuals on the list are invited to the event, along with 300 other VIPs.
Abu Dhabi-based businessman Yousuffali MA, who owns the Lulu supermarket chain, is seeking backing to launch a new private airline based out of Kerala, it was reported at the weekend.
Managing director of EMKE Group, Yousuffali stepped down as a director of Indian government-owned carrier Air India at the weekend, clearing the way for him to focus on rejuvenating plans for an airline based out of the south Indian state.
“Since my induction into Air India board I have tried my level best to change the way the national airline has been working. But there has been no improvement,” Yusuffali was quoted as saying by The Times of India newspaper.
Air Kerala was registered as a company in India four years ago and one of its key stakeholders is believed to be the Government of Kerala. Yousuffali told reporters that he is looking to attract backing for the Kerala-based private carrier.
The Peninsula
