20 KERALITES IN ARABIAN BUSINESS 100 LIST

As many as 20 entrepreneurs and professionals from Kerala have been named in the annual list of 100 powerful Indians in the Gulf countries with people from the southern state also bagging the top two positions. The 'Indian Power List', published by Arabian Business, a leading business magazine, has also picked as many as six Keralites among the top 20. Managing Director of the Lulu Group, Yusuff Ali MA, has retained his top position on the list for the fifth consecutive year, while Ravi Pillai, Chairman of RP Group of Companies, is ranked second for successfully building a global business network that employs over 80,000 people. PNC Menon, Chairman of Sobha Developers is ranked No 8. Sunil John, Chief Executive Officer of ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller, the region's leading Public Relations consultancy, has been ranked at 12th position, followed by KV Shamsudheen, Founder of Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust and Sunny Varkey, Founder & Chairman of GEMS Education. The business magazine selected the 100 powerful Indians in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from over 500 entrepreneurs and professionals. "In 1970 trade between India and the UAE was worth USD 80 million a year. By 2013, the figure had reached USD 44 billion. Thanks to the work of these 100 people featuring in this week's issue that number is only heading north," Anil Bhoyrul, Editorial Director of Arabian Business, said.