Seven Qataris from different industries in the country have made it to Forbes 2022 list of top 100 chief executive officers (CEOs) in the Middle East, which was published recently.
The Qataris recognised in Forbes Middle East ‘Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East 2022’ represented a variety of sectors, including energy, aviation, banking, telecommunications, logistics, and insurance.
HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, who is also president and CEO of QatarEnergy, ranked fifth in the list and was followed by Qatar Airways Group chief executive HE Akbar al-Baker (6th rank), concurrently the chairman of Qatar Tourism.
Next on the list at rank 11 is Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, CEO of QNB Group, followed by Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo (40th), who is managing director and CEO of Ooredoo Group.
The following Qataris were also recognised in the Forbes Middle East list of top 100 CEOs in the region: Abdullah al-Sulaiti of Nakilat (72nd), Khalid al-Subeai (Dukhan Bank, 75th), and Salem Khalaf aI-Mannai (QIC Group, 77th).
Aside from the seven distinguished Qatari CEOs, Forbes Middle East also feted Bassel Gamal, Group CEO of Qatar Islamic Bank, who ranked 50th on the list.
Explaining the methodology used for the list, Forbes Middle East stated: “To create this ranking, we sent out questionnaires and collected information from stock market disclosures, industry reports, annual reports and financial statements, and other primary sources.
“We ranked the CEOs based on the impact that they have had on the region, their country, and the markets that they serve; the CEO’s overall experience and time in their current role; the size of the company in terms of revenues, assets, and market cap; the achievements and performance of the CEO in the last year; and the innovations and initiatives that the CEO has implemented.”
Forbes also stated: “When we released our first Top CEOs ranking in 2021, the mood among the Middle East’s CEOs was focused on safety and the protection of business. This year has seen a reversal in fortunes, with record profits, new investments, large IPOs, and mega deals taking centre stage.
It added: “This year’s list of the Top 100 CEOs in the region consists of leaders from 26 nationalities. Emiratis dominated with 19 entries, followed by Egyptians with 16, and Saudis with 15.
“Banking and financial services is the most represented sector on the list with 27 CEOs, followed by eight telecom CEOs, and seven that each head energy and logistics companies. Combined they managed revenues of over $1tn last year. Their companies are collectively worth more than $5tn.”
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