The man is famous for building some of the Emirates’ largest shopping malls and leisure centres, which have acted as a magnet for both consumers and retail businesses. Majed Al-Futtaim’s City Centre chain is now dotting the regional map from Oman to Alexandria in Egypt, and is soon to be launched in the Levant.

One of his investment vehicles Oasis Capital Egypt hooked up with a handful of regional entrepreneurs to launch a major financial services group in Egypt. Despite the business break-up from his brother, Abdullah Al Futtaim, Majed’s corporate relationship with his former partner, is still interwoven. Abdullah’s exclusive foreign brands are being sold in the developments built by Majed.