Despite its history as an ‘oil country,’ the UAE is again forging ahead, abandoning its image as an energy-focused country in favor of a technologically savvy business realm. The reality is that oil plays a significant part in their region’s economy. It has aided them in forging more connections with the outside world and other businesses such as manufacturing and tourism and has been doing the same for technology. In light of the vast market opportunities and gaps, aspiring individuals have flown from various parts of the world in hopes of establishing their true potential in the field of tech in the region, which they precisely did. Here are top Indian leaders who have set benchmarks in the region globally.

Krishnan Gopi: The Digital Disruptive Leader

Krishnan is a Strategic Technology Leader with over two decades of international experience and a proven track record of leading Fortune 100 firms through technology-led business transformations. He is presently driving the push to disrupt from within to challenge the status quo and develop agile, scalable, and future-ready digital capabilities for the ‘Education of Today and Tomorrow’ demands. In addition to his various honors and medals, he was recently named ‘Digital Disruptive Leader of the Year’ by MIT Sloan / Khaleej Times at DIGITRANS 2019 and 2018, and voted ‘Digital Disruptor of the Year’ at CDO Conclave 2018.

Ram Buxani: The Transformation of Textiles to Consumer Electronics

Ram Buxani’s story is of those ‘rags to riches’ who had set foot in Dubai with nothing, a time when the region lacked airports, roads, electricity, and oil. However, that story soon changed as the region began experiencing growth, and as did Buxani’s fortunes, who became the president of the ITL Group, overseeing rapid expansion in areas such as consumer electronics, textiles, banking, IT, and hospitality. The ITL Group, which he continues to operate and manage, began with humble beginnings as well. Initially, the company’s main business was textiles, but it went into other areas such as consumer electronics as a result of the oil boom and Dubai’s socio-economic affluence.

 

When thinking Logistic, Think Praveen Shashi

Senior Director of IT & Logistics for DHL Express in the UAE and Regional Head of Digitalization on the CIO Middle East top 50 lists, Praveen Sashi, was placed first in the logistics industry and sixth in the region. He began working for the company in 1998 as an IT Manager – Logistics and then expanded his responsibilities to encompass application administration and IT support for Gulf countries. Since then, he has held numerous top positions at DHL, including Head of IT Shared Services for the MENAT region, Regional Service Delivery Manager for the APEM region, Head of IT, and finally Senior Director of IT and Logistics DHL Express in the UAE.

For Education, it is Sunny Varkey Indeed

Sunny Varkey, a well-known figure among UAE parents, launched his first school in the UAE 21 years after arriving in Dubai in 1959. Varkey, who is also the founder of the Global Teacher Prize, has ensured that Tmrw has been teacher-led from conception to implementation. He has been able to call on the teaching ability of the GEMS schools network, which includes 20,000 motivated and certified teachers, teaching support staff, and school administrators from all over the world who provide seven different curricula in 16 countries.

Healthcare is Rest Assured with Shamsheer Vayalil

He has been distinguished many times over the years for his company’s rapid expansion and brand proliferation, his application of commercial innovation, for championing the spirit of entrepreneurship, and also for several CSR campaigns that highlighted various VPS Healthcare Group endeavors while at the same time contribute to the betterment of societal health and welfare. The Group’s portfolio brands have a strong online presence, with user-friendly websites that are jam-packed with easy and straightforward information for potential clients. 

Dr. Rajen Kilachand: The Protagonist behind a world-class multi-billion-dollar corporation

Dr. Kilachand’s professional path, which has seen Dodsal grow from a $ 200 million multi-retail interest firm to a world-class multi-billion-dollar corporation, is based on cutting-edge technology, expertise, honesty, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. For this, he has received several accolades, prizes, and recognition on a global scale. Today, the Dodsal Group is a major participant in the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction sector, and it has expanded its operations to include Trading and Distribution, as well as Exploration and Production.

Adeeb Ahamed: A Name Resonating the Growth of Global Digital Payments

Adeeb Ahamed is an established and recognized industry name, noted for his far-reaching contributions to the development of the global payments ecosystem, with investments in financial services and digital payments spanning 11 countries in the GCC, Indian subcontinent, and APAC regions. Adeeb is also the CEO of firms in retail, food and beverage, and luxury hotels. He is a member of the elite World Economic Forum’s South Asian Regional Strategy Group. 

Anand Narain Kapoor is the Name that Rings in the Telcos Sector

The development of MiDCOM, the Midland Group’s telecommunications branch, was his most significant initiative to date. He built a cutting-edge commercial complex in Kampala, Uganda, and then followed it up with Kololo Greens, Uganda’s most opulent residential flats. In addition, he established a commodity trade section that included sugar, rice, paper, and tires. Anand Kapoor’s company is currently a major participant in the Indian, African, and Middle Eastern markets, with a strong presence in 12 countries.

Jayanta Mukherjee: The Brains Behind the Rise of Fischer Operations

He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration and is an IIM Ahmadabad and Stanford University alumni. He has demonstrated success in starting a firm from the ground up in newer locations and industries, as well as launching wholly new service lines. Therefore, he is regarded as a people person, the brain behind setting up Fischer’s operations in the mid-2000s, ultimately making it in the Middle East and Africa. 

Saad Khan Decided to Let the Esports Begin!

Upon viewing a huge crowd crowding cyber cafes in Dubai, Saad Khan took this as an opportunity to promote esports in the country. That’s when Khan, who has a strong technology background, found the Gamers Hub Media Events (GHME) to host esports tournaments in the Middle East and North America. While most others jumped into sectors for career opportunities hoping to keep the region’s oil-dependent economy and boost software power, gaming was silently making its own revolution. The Gulf region’s gaming market is expected to grow up to $ 821 million this year, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia being the biggest gamers for this boost, according to Stratey &. According to Nielson, even still, this was considered a small fraction of contribution at a global level. Yet, Khan found another opportunity: the increase in interest from MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) players. Thanks to that, GMHE has grown enormously, partnering with globally major gamin tech firms such as Dell Alienware, Intel, Lenovo Legion, HP’s Omen, and even BMW, with active offices in India, Spain, and South Africa.