Vision, foresight and hard work – the top Emirati businessmen
Many Emirati businessmen have made their mark both locally and internationally through holistic vision, foresight and sheer hard work. Wondering who’s who in the corporate market in Dubai? We’ve compiled a list of supremely talented Emirati business people and entrepreneurs who are helping to shape the country’s thriving business environment.
EMIRATI BUSINESS TYCOONS IN DUBAI REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY
MOHAMMED ALABBAR
The man behind marvels like the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall is innovative Emirati businessmen Mohamed Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties. Bringing a new age of residential developments to Dubai, this real estate tycoon has a knack for constructing things bigger and better than anywhere else in the world.
Besides Emaar Properties, which is counted among the top real estate developers in Dubai, Mohamed Alabbar is also the chairman of the Abu Dhabi-based real estate development company Eagle Hills and is also behind huge homegrown success stories such as Noon.com!
HUSSAIN SAJWANI
A self-made man, Hussain Sajwani is one of the Emirati billionaires living in Dubai and comfortable amongst the top Emirati businessmen The founder and chairman of the luxury property development company DAMAC Properties, Sajwani entered the real estate business after property ownership was allowed to foreigners in designated freehold areas in Dubai.
With an estimated net worth of USD 2.7 billion and a flair for extravagant marketing of his projects, Hussain Sajwani has created a steady real estate empire out of his business.
SULTAN AHMED BIN SULAYEM
We’ve all heard of Nakheel – the master developer behind stunning projects like Palm Jumeirah, The Gardens, Club Vista Mare and Ibn Battuta Mall. What a lot of people don’t know about is that Nakheel is the brainchild of Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem – the Dubai-based Emirati businessman whose business career is studded with major accomplishments.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem is also the group chairman and CEO of DP World, a global trade enabler with 150 operations across the globe. Sulayem is the pioneer of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the man behind Istithmar World – a global investment house with operations across three continents and six industries.
HALEEMA AL OWAIS
A calculated risk-taker, Haleema Al Owais is one of the top Emirati businesswomen in the UAE. She started a small venture back in 2007 that has grown into one of the top real estate companies in the UAE – Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Real Estate.
Her real estate business over the years has expanded into the fields of real estate management, development and construction as well, with other successful companies like Moderna Middle East and Moderna Contracting in her portfolio.
FAMOUS EMIRATI BUSINESSMEN IN DUBAI AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
ABDULLA AL FUTTAIM
Next on our list of best Emirati businessmen is Abdulla Al Futtaim – the founder and owner of Al Futtaim Group. His successful conglomerate operates in several industries, including engineering, electronics, real estate, retail, property development, insurance and services.
The Al Futtaim group is also the primary distributor of Toyota and holds the licence to operate internationally-renowned brands like Zara, Ikea, Toys “R” Us and Hertz in the UAE. With his wealth and assets rounding up to USD 2.1 billion, Abdulla Al Futtaim is one of the richest people in the UAE.
JUMA AL MAJID
A seasoned Emirati businessman and renowned philanthropist in Dubai, Juma Al Majid’s contribution to the economic and education sectors are iconic. He is the mastermind behind the Juma Al Majid (JAM) Group – a conglomerate that has successful operations in the automobile, FMCG, travel, and investment industries, amongst others.
The Juma Al Majid (JAM) Group is most popular for being the exclusive distributor for Hyundai and Kia in the UAE. The group also owns GENAVCO, a 1967-established company that dominates the supply of construction and mining equipment, commercial vehicles and lubricants in the UAE.
SAMIR MOHAMMED GARGASH
The next successful Emirati businessman in Dubai on our list is Samir M. Gargash – the serving chairman of Gargash Group. He is the visionary behind Gargash Motors – an eminent player in the GCC region’s automotive industry.
Some of the prominent business ventures of the Gargash Group includes Gargash Motors, Gargash Enterprises, Gargash Hospital and Daman Investments. Besides overlooking operations of the Gargash Group of companies, Samir Gargash also has several other businesses across Europe and the Middle East.
OBAID HUMAID AL TAYER
Heading the Al Tayer Group, Obaid Humaid Al Tayer also makes it onto our list of successful Emirati entrepreneurs in Dubai. The Al Tayer group which has been around for over four decades has business stakes in the automotive, retail, engineering and other sectors.
The group’s most prominent venture is Al Tayer Motors one of the most prominent car showrooms in Dubai that deal in luxury cars like Jaguar, Maserati and Ferrari.
Besides running a successful business conglomerate, Obaid Al Tayer also serves as a cabinet member in the Federal Government and is the current Minister of State for Financial Affairs.
ABDULLA MOHAMMED JUMA AL NABOODA
Hailing from the renowned Nabooda family, Abdulla Mohamed Juma Al Nabooda is the chairman of Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group. This group of companies operates in a variety of industries that range from logistics and hospitality to construction and automotives.
KHALID ABDUL WAHID AL ROSTAMANI
Another family-owned business that has made waves locally and across international borders, the AW Rostamani Group has Khalid Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani at its helm. Since joining, he has steered the Rostamani businesses towards continuous growth, with major stakes in the automotive, real estate and investment sectors.
The AW Rostamani Group also has successful business ventures in the travel, lighting, logistics and lifestyle industries. The group’s most prominent business venture is the Arabian Automobiles Company, which also has showrooms and distribution rights to Nissan, Renault and INFINITI vehicles across the UAE.
HUDA AL ROSTAMANI
A thorough businesswoman in her own right and part of the Rostamani clan, Huda Al Rostamani has been serving AW Rostamani Group in the capacity of a board member and managing director since 2007.
For more than a decade now, Huda Rostamani has been responsible for the performance management and business planning and strategies for all companies on the AW Rostamani portfolio. Huda Al Rostamani has a master’s degree in minor data processing and medical engineering from the George Washington University, Washington D.C.
TOP EMIRATI ENTREPRENEURS IN DUBAI HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
MAJID AL FUTTAIM
Born in 1930s, the late Majid Al Futtaim is credited with playing a significant role in transforming Dubai into a global tourism hub. Brother to Dubai billionaire Abdulla Al Futtaim, Majid founded his own multi-billion-dollar business that continues to expand its operations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region today. Unfortunately, the visionary entrepreneur passed away on 17 December 2021 – may his soul rest in peace.
The Majid Al Futtaim Holding Group owns hotels, shopping malls, markets, cinemas and community centres, with their most prominent holding in Dubai being the Mall of the Emirates. Majid Al Futtaim had an estimated net worth of USD 6 billion according to Bloomberg.
With mega projects like City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira representing some of most prominent shopping and leisure destinations in Dubai, Majid Al Futtaim successfully created a business empire that continues to grow and thrive today.
KHALAF AL HABTOOR
One of the self-made Emirati businessmen in Dubai, Khalaf Al Habtoor is the founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group. Around for more than 45 years, the Al Habtoor conglomerate has notable business stakes in the hospitality and real estate sectors with prominent developments like the Al Habtoor City Dubai under their belt. Other areas of their business cover the education, automotive and publishing sectors.
An optimist by nature, Khalaf Al Habtoor has been recognised multiple times for his business intellect and innovation. He was the esteemed recipient of the 2018 Golden Peacock Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership for Business Excellence & Innovation. In 2015, he was also awarded the UAE Red Crescent Shield of Honour, in recognition of his lifelong humanitarian contributions. These are but a few of his remarkable achievements.
NOTABLE EMIRATI BUSINESSMEN IN OTHER DUBAI INDUSTRIES
ABDULLA BIN AHMAD AL GHURAIR
Featured in the Forbes Magazine’s list of Billionaires 2020 with an estimated net worth of USD 3.8 billion, Abdulla Bin Ahmad Al Ghurair is the founder of Mashreq Bank and until recently was also serving as the chairman of its board.
He, along with his late brother Saif Al Ghurair, formed the Al Ghurair Group that has business stakes in the construction, food and real estate sectors. Besides the UAE, the Al Ghurair Group has operations in Europe, North Africa, North America and other Middle Eastern countries.
EASA SALEH AL GURG
Founder and chairman of Easa Saleh Al Gurg (ESAG) Group, this Emirati businessman in Dubai is known for his innovative spirit and vision for the future. His multidivisional conglomerate owns 27 companies, operating predominantly in the retail, industrial and construction sectors.
Completely family-owned, Easa Saleh Al Gurg’s businesses have operations throughout the UAE and Middle East, with several operational wings in parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, America and New Zealand.
The ESAG Group also has joint ventures with global giants like Unilever, Siemens and Akzo Nobel, alongside regional partnerships with international brands like Dunlop, 3M, British American Tobacco and more.
DR. RAJA EASA AL GURG
Daughter to Easa Saleh Al Gurg and a renowned Emirati businesswoman in her own right, Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg serves as the managing director and the vice-chairperson of the ESAG Group. Besides running the family business, Dr. Al Gurg holds eminent positions in several organisations, including the Dubai Business Women Council, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, National Bank of Fujairah and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Working tirelessly for women entrepreneurs in the UAE, Dr. Al Gurg has gained unprecedented local and global recognition. She ranked number one in Forbes Middle East’s list of ‘100 Power Businesswomen in the Middle East’ and 89th among the ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ for 2020 by Forbes.
KHALID BIN KALBAN
When talking about Emirati entrepreneurs in Dubai, Khalid Bin Kalban, with his successful Dubai Investments venture, is a giant to be reckoned with. Within five years of being established, his company was recognised as one of the best to serve the Dubai financial sector.
Starting with stakes in the manufacturing sector, Dubai Investments has built a strong portfolio that now includes investments in the healthcare, real estate, education, construction and contracting industries as well.
YAHYA BIN SAEED AL LOOTAH
CEO of the S.S. Lootah Group, Yahya Bin Saeed Al Lootah is the son of veteran Emirati businessman, the late Haj Saeed Ahmed Al-Lootah. Starting out in the family business at the tender age of 15 as an assistant to the engineers in the S. S. Lootah Contracting Company, Yahya went on to complete his engineering degree at the University of Bridgeport, USA.
Yahya is the man behind S.S. Lootah International and the person leading the S.S. Lootah group of companies in the UAE with strategic decision-making, business development and growth plans. The S.S. Lootah Group today operates in the construction, energy, real estate, hospitality and food industries.
KHALED KHALIFA JUMA AL NABOODA
Khaled Khalifa Juma Al Nabooda belongs to a family of prominent Emirati entrepreneurs in Dubai. Khaled currently serves as the managing director of Khalifa Juma Al Nabooda Group of Companies and is widely-recognised as one of the top Emirati businessmen. His business conglomerate has operations in construction, automobiles, civil and marine engineering, real estate and other sectors.
DALYA AL MUTHANNA
Any list of successful Emirati businesswomen would be incomplete without the mention of Dr. Dalya Al Muthanna. She is the first ever UAE National to hold the position of President and CEO of GE Gulf. GE – the global giant’s Gulf wing has operations in the power, aviation, healthcare and renewable energy sectors.
Dr. Muthanna completed her MBA from the American University in Dubai and holds a PhD degree in business model innovation to promote a low carbon economy in Dubai from the Imperial College London. She also sits on the Steering Committee of the MENA Clean Energy Business Council and serves as an ‘Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA) Women in Solar Program’ board member.
MOHAMMED A. BAKER
Last but certainly not the least is respected Emirati businessmen Mohammad A. Baker – the CEO and Deputy Chairman of Gulf Marketing Group (GMG). Baker, who joined the family business in 2010, displayed stellar business insight and foresight to propel GMG to newer heights.
He was appointed CEO for the conglomerate in 2014, to overlook the various businesses in the group’s portfolio. GMG has successful businesses operating in the healthcare, pharmaceuticals, real estate, education, technology, sports and fitness sectors.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?
HOW TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN DUBAI?
There are many options for budding entrepreneurs and tech startups to start their businesses in Dubai. Choose from starting your venture in mainland or free zone each has its own merits. Get in touch with a business setup consultant in Dubai to help you guide you through the process.
WHAT KIND OF VISAS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INVESTORS IN DUBAI?
The three-year investor visa is popular with most business owners, make sure to meet the Dubai investor visa requirements before you apply. Another option is to get the Business Gold Visa it is also a long-term residency option that non-UAE national entrepreneurs can use to settle here.
Talking about eminent personalities and the who’s who of Dubai, take a look at how the founding fathers of the UAE shaped the future of the country.
Also, take the time to familiarise yourself with the royal families of the UAE and their contribution to the nation.
