Thursday, October 27, 2011

Fuad El-Hibri on Arabian Business Power 500

ArabianBusiness.com focuses on the business of Arabs around the globe. The site’s Power 500 list identifies the world’s most influential Arabs, chronicling their achievements; a veritable who’s who among the most successful Arabs in the world. Men and women on the list contribute to a variety of fields including banking and finance, construction, media, culture and industry, science, and sports. Currently topping the list at #1 and #2 on the Power 500 are Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed and Google marketing chief, Wael Ghonim. It was Ghonim who recently became the face and driving force behind Egypt’s uprising, resulting in the dramaticousting of President Hosni Mubarak.

The Power 500 entries for those hailing from the Middle East have recently been on the rise with 69 on the list from the UAE, 62 from Saudi Arabia and 45 from Egypt. Lebanese businessman Fuad El Hibri with a focus on global health issues is #89 and Reem Acra, also Lebanese, is #448. El Hibri is the CEO and chairman of the US-based company Emergent BioSolution and is driving the search for critical vaccines for devastating diseases such as Meningitis B, typhoid, hepatitis B and tuberculosis. Acra is a fashion designer known especially for her bridal gowns, signature use of embroidery and celebrity customers. Her clothing is sold in exclusive stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

ArabianBusiness.com also features a Fame List, currently topped by Nancy Ajram, the singer from Lebanon who has sold more than 30 million records and was named by Oprah Winfrey as one of the most influential personalities of the Middle East. Ajram is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and Coca Cola’s first female spokesperson from the Middle East.