Property developer, who hails from Kerala, is expanding his Sobha Group's Middle East operations, which span the UAE, Qatar, Oman and other Gulf countries. In April he signed a joint venture with the government of Umm al-Quwain to develop the UAE's least-known emirate into a tourist hot spot. The proposed $6.8 billion island development will comprise seafront villas, hotels, wellness resorts, boutique stores and an 18-hole golf course. Sobha is also building 2 projects totaling $13 billion in Dubai. Listed Indian arm Sobha Developers is run by son Ravi.
He and his wife, Sobha, after whom the group is named, signed the Giving Pledge in June