GLOBAL MEETS LOCAL 2024
Forbes Middle East - English|August 2024
International companies play a crucial role in MENA, significantly impacting its economic, technological, and social landscapes.
GLOBAL MEETS LOCAL 2024

These companies bring substantial investments, create jobs, and stimulate local economies, aiding in the diversification from traditional oil and gas sectors to technology, tourism, healthcare, and renewable energy.

These companies have also been pushing digital transformation in the region with several investments and initiatives. For example, in March 2024, IBM announced plans to invest over $200 million in talent and infrastructure in a new IBM software lab in Riyadh. In April 2024, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment into Abu Dhabi’s G42, with plans to establish a $1 billion fund for developers to boost AI skills in the region. In May 2024, Google introduced new AI Gemini models and other features, making the Arabic version of Gemini Advanced available.

We’ve been compiling and revealing our Global Meets Local ranking for 12 consecutive years, recognizing the regional heads of the world’s largest international companies who are based in MENA. This year’s list features 104 executives from 100 companies.

Of the 100 companies, 55% are based in the U.S., with the rest based in 15 other countries. They represent 30 sectors, demonstrating the role that these multinational corporations are playing in diversifying the region’s economies. The technology sector tops the list with 19 entries, followed by nine pharmaceutical companies and seven firms operating in the automotive industry.

The 104 executives represent 40 nationalities. Lebanon leads with 12 executives, followed by eight Indians, then the U.K. and France with seven executives each.

1 Samer Abu-Ltaif

Esta historia es de la edición August 2024 de Forbes Middle East - English.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición August 2024 de Forbes Middle East - English.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FORBES MIDDLE EAST - ENGLISHVer todo
Celebrating Emirati Businesswomen and Entrepreneurs on Emirati Women's Day
Forbes Middle East - English

Celebrating Emirati Businesswomen and Entrepreneurs on Emirati Women's Day

As part of the U.A.E.’s annual Emirati Women’s Day celebrations, the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council and the Abu Dhabi Chamber hosted an event on August 28, 2024, under the theme “We Collaborate for Tomorrow,” celebrating the role and achievements of Emirati women.

time-read
2 minutos  |
Sep 2024
THE MIDDLE EAST'S TOP 100 HEALTHCARE LEADERS 2024
Forbes Middle East - English

THE MIDDLE EAST'S TOP 100 HEALTHCARE LEADERS 2024

MENA’s healthcare landscape is evolving towards integration, marked by the rise of fully comprehensive ecosystems. Industry giants are setting future trends, driven by systems that thrive on data abundance, accessibility, and intersectoral collaboration.

time-read
6 minutos  |
Sep 2024
SCOUTING FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Forbes Middle East - English

SCOUTING FOR OPPORTUNITIES

Ayman Cheikh-Lahlou, Chairman and CEO of the Morocco-based Cooper Pharma, took the helm of the family-owned pharmaceutical company in 2005 and has seen business boom over nearly 20 years. Now, he’s exploring expansion opportunities in new markets.

time-read
7 minutos  |
Sep 2024
TURNING THE TIDE
Forbes Middle East - English

TURNING THE TIDE

Irina Zaporozhets, President and General Manager for Eli Lilly Suisse S.A. in the META region is driving expansion, focusing on innovation and patient-centric care. As she navigates regional challenges, her commitment to expanding access to medicine remains at the forefront.

time-read
7 minutos  |
Sep 2024
Supercharging AI
Forbes Middle East - English

Supercharging AI

Armed with a newly raised 640 million, GROQ thinks it can challenge one of the world’s most valuable companies with a purpose-built chip designed for Al from scratch.

time-read
5 minutos  |
Sep 2024
How Technology is Accelerating Digital Equality in Diverse Markets
Forbes Middle East - English

How Technology is Accelerating Digital Equality in Diverse Markets

The rise of smartphones and digital technologies has transformed our daily lives, contributing to the evolution of connected consumers.

time-read
2 minutos  |
Sep 2024
Rare Fortune
Forbes Middle East - English

Rare Fortune

Money manager JAMES LITINSKY turned a bad junk bond bet into a $400 million fortune. His MP Materials operates a strategic mine and will begin manufacturing supermagnets for electric vehicles next year.

time-read
6 minutos  |
Sep 2024
The State of Mental Health in the Middle East
Forbes Middle East - English

The State of Mental Health in the Middle East

While mental health awareness is on the rise, the Middle East faces some challenges in providing care. Still, we're seeing some progress.

time-read
2 minutos  |
Sep 2024
Big Breakthroughs
Forbes Middle East - English

Big Breakthroughs

From gene therapy to nasal sprays, these were some of the most significant healthcare breakthroughs in the last year.

time-read
3 minutos  |
Sep 2024
MENA's 5 Most Valuable Healthcare Companies 2024
Forbes Middle East - English

MENA's 5 Most Valuable Healthcare Companies 2024

The combined market cap of 57 healthcare companies listed on MENA's stock exchanges hit $83.7 billion on August 13, 2024, with the top five companies accounting for about 62.4% of the total market cap. These are MENA's five most valuable healthcare companies in 2024.

time-read
2 minutos  |
Sep 2024