Three months earlier he had been one of five people who receive an honorary doctoral degree from the American University of Beirut for in the full sense of the term, [making] a difference. Kharafi, chairman of the Al-Kharafi international group for construction and engineering, remarked then that Success is neither about getting ahead nor about the profits one achieves. Success is rather about making a difference, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, expanding your capacity to perform and about what you give back to your community, especially in terms of creating opportunities to others who improve lives.

With his Kuwait based empire including a 30% stake in Atheer Telecom, which holds a lucrative mobile licence for southern Iraq, Mr. Kharafis wealth as well as his profile has increased rapidly. Al Kharafis multi-billion dollar Kuwaiti conglomerate first launched 30 years ago as the National Company for Mechanical and Electrical Works. It has since diversified from local contracting to become a major player in engineering, construction and maintenance, focusing on petroleum, water, chemicals and power.

Meanwhile, the expansion of Egypts Marsa Alam International Airport, originally envisioned to take place in 2011, has been brought forward in response to the rapid growth of the neighbouring Port Ghalib resort owned by the Al Kharafi family, which now has 7,000 rooms and a further 5,000 under construction. The M.A. Kharafi Group has been conducting business in Egypt for more than 50 years and its current investment in the country currently tops US$2.5bn. Kharafi has been manoeuvring his business into Iraq.

The National Bank of Kuwait, in which his family owns an estimated 16% stake, is part of a consortium that is rebuilding the financial sector in the war-torn country. Mr. Kharafi is also a well-known philanthropist in the region.