As the year draws to a close we take a look at some of the executives with the most astute business acumen in the GCC. Obviously many will have been left out as we tried to round the figures down to the last 100, this does not mean that they are undeserving of recognition.

In a region where new companies, developments and opportunities spring up each day; where financing is straightforward and unproblematic; and where there is the space and infrastructure to undertake any project, it is difficult to pick out the highest achievers without some being left out.

We also tried to gather companies from a wide range of industry backgrounds, outside of the big financial and real estate names that often dominate media headlines. Some of the businesses you may not be familiar with, but all are present for the same reason. The criteria for inclusion in the final list was based on what the company, and therefore the executive at the helm (often the CEO, sometimes the Chairman or President), has managed to achieve over the course of the past 12 months.

When press releases about fantastic new projects or sky-high uptake figures for future developments drop into our inboxes throughout the day, it can be hard to differentiate between what a company has promised and what it has actually managed to achieve. We tried to find groups that had realised their set goals - whether that was financial growth, project completion, brand expansion or consolidation - rather than those that, as yet, had very little to show for their potential or large organisations whose development had not progressed.

So, read on and let the debate begin. We, as always, would love to hear from those of you that agree with our listing (and remember that the order is alphabetical) and those that don't.

Eid Mubarak, Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year to all our readers.

Click here to view the list

Comments (14)

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Len's request for art galleries in the UAE
Posted by stuart mayhead, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 21 April 2008 at 09:21 UAE time


Hi Len if you visit www.artinthecity.com you will find and Art Map of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah which shows all the local galleries and has a calendar of events noting all the exhibitions. If you sign up for them you will receive fortnightly reminders.

art galleries
Posted by len on 20 April 2008 at 14:15 UAE time

I'm looking for modern art galleries in your country. Can you help me with a list?

Editor's Reply Kindly visit www.timeoutdubai.com for a full list of art galleries in Dubai, or www.timeoutabudhabi.com for a full list in the capital.

commnet
Posted by Nabil Alwakidi, jeddah, KSA on 13 April 2008 at 10:24 UAE time


Dear Abdulkareem,

Perfect person on the right place, very difficult to find some one like you. this comment will show you how much we like your job.

Best of luck for everything!

Cheers,
Nabil Alwakidi

Success
Posted by shahla naim, AbuDhabi, U.A.E on 19 March 2008 at 11:18 UAE time

Success, from my point of view is 10%luck, 40%study, 50% hard work. Upon reading this article, I think am still at the first 10%.

Very proud to be a muslim after reading this article.
Posted by Nasrin Quraishi, Chennai, India on 5 March 2008 at 15:03 UAE time


Good Evening,

I am very happy and proud that I am living in this world where HRH Mr.Abdullah Al Awadi is living. I pray Almighty God to work under him atleast for a year.

Thank you

networking with your esteemed Arabbusiness
Posted by Safwat Faroun, Ramallah, Palestine on 13 February 2008 at 19:20 UAE time

I am currently residing in the west bank, and I am looking for jobs. Your Arabbusiness could be of indispensable value to me. Keep up the good work!

Abdullah Al Awadi's name in Arabic
Posted by Jehad M. Shaban, Kuwait, Kuwait on 9 December 2007 at 15:57 UAE time

As per your Arabic article of the top 100's CEO's in the GCC, would you kindly correct Mr.Abdullah Al Awadi's name in Arabic to: عبد الله العوضي and the company name to: Al-Ahlia Holding Company. Thank you.

Saudi ARAMCO
Posted by Nand, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 9 December 2007 at 11:41 UAE time


Wonder what standing Saudi ARAMCO has? Is it not among the most admired companies in the GCC?

Posted by Prabal Rai, kathmandu, nepal on 6 December 2007 at 12:07 UAE time


Dear Sir,
How possibly I can contact direct to Amir Alwalid Bin Talal for my own personal plea concerning my occupational hazzards in compny own by him? Please guide me in this regards.
Yours truly
Prabal Rai
Kathmandu Nepal

Energy Industry
Posted by Ibrahim, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 6 December 2007 at 09:43 UAE time


I've worked in the oilfield since 1989, mostly in the UAE but also all over the MENA region, and this is the first time I've heard of this company (SS Lootah). What about Al-Dulaimi group (Qatar) or Mohammed Barwani (Oman) or AlMansoori (UAE)? I wonder what the definition of "Energy Industry" is? I suspect the people who selected the winners don't understand how our industry works.

Interesting information
Posted by Omair bin Zahid Al Husain on 5 December 2007 at 22:07 UAE time

It is interesting information. Being an entrepreneur myself, I don't mind knowing who could be of advantage to me and where I can find products and/or services I need. I wonder what was the criteria for selection though, but a wiseman said that the modern day winner in the corporate world is the one who could "learn, unlearn and relearn!" Keep us up to date Arabian Business.com. Thank you very much.

Show all comments

Wonderful Article
Posted by Nikhil Sindhu on 5 December 2007 at 19:03 UAE time


Thank you Anil for the insight about an extraordinary person.

Amazing
Posted by Faris AlQURESHI, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 5 December 2007 at 12:53 UAE time


Dear Anil,

The best best interview for the most admiring and decent personality.

Best of luck for everything!

Cheers,
Faris

CEO Vision Drives the list
Posted by Prof Philbert, Salmiya/ Kuwait, Kuwait on 5 December 2007 at 10:57 UAE time


If the company is going to achieve something of some recognition, they must follow three I's - Innovation, Infrastructure and Integration.

Innovation is importnat to give the company an ability to extend the product and service life cycle from point of stagnation to new thinking - a sort of sigmooid curve that repeats itself - saying in simple words - an old wine in a new bottle.

Infrastructure for aiding innocation is another key dimension that can add value to corporate growth. A CEO must take a balaced scorecard to organizational development.

Integration is keeping all elements of the orgnization togehter and take a unified approach to the big picture.

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