BAKR BIN LADEN

CHAIRMAN, SAUDI BINLADIN GROUP ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR CONSTRUCTION 2016 RANK 29

Atumultuous 12 months marred by low oil prices, reduced liquidity and worker protests has hit construction giant Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) very hard, with the company facing billions of dollars of debt, according to reports. That explains why the company’s chairman and largest shareholder, Bakr Bin Laden, has dropped several places in our list this year, despite his continued influence. SBG, whose projects include a $1bn contract to build the world’s tallest tower in Jeddah, was forced to lay off thousands of workers last year. But with reports that the company has now started receiving payments from the Saudi government, the company will be hoping to get back on its feet in 2017.