Banking trumps Power 100 as most powerful industry

Banking and finance is the most powerful profession to be in according to results published in 2008’s Arabian Business Power List, with those in the lucrative industry making up almost one third of the total positions, including the number one spot.

Banking and Finance just nudged out the culture and leisure industry for the honours, the latter contributing almost one-quarter (24%) of representatives to this year’s list.

Of the 100 most powerful Arabs according to this year’s list, 28 made their mark in the field of banking and finance, with Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud, the Saudi billionaire investor and chairman of Kingdom Holding, adding the most powerful Arab to his accolade as the richest.

Power, according to the judges of this year’s list, is simply defined as influence - the ability to influence the thoughts and actions of others.

“Or put crudely,” says Anil Bhoyrul, editorial director of ITP executive and the man behind the list’s creation, “if one man dyed his hair green, how many others would follow? The more that did, the more powerful that man is.”

Lebanese director, Nadine Labaki took top spot for the culture and leisure industry and was also the highest ranked woman, finishing number 5 on the overall list.

Media and marketing was the third most powerful industry to be in, notching up 15 of the final positions and led by Wadah Khanfar, the director of Al Jazeera television.

Retail and sport were the sectors least represented on this year’s list, posting just five positions cumulative, while transport and science kicking in five and seven positions respectively.

For the full list, click here .

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