Saudi Arabia is rich in oil and is the largest oil exporting
country. It has 19th largest economy. It has many merchant families
involved in commerce for many decades and their wealth can rival that of house
of Saud. In the pre oil era, these families provided financing to the royal
family for running the affairs of state. Later on when oil was discovered these
families were rewarded for their loyalty to house of Saud. They were given
important development contracts.
List of wealthy family along with short introduction is
given as follow.
Alireza
The house of Alireza is the oldest family business in Saudi
Arabia. The business history of the family spans more than 150 years. The
business of Alireza family includes retailing, travel agency services, manufacturing
and distribution of aviation fuel, operating of shipping and freight terminals
and real estate.
Ba Khashab
Ba Khashab family is involved in providing logistic
services. This family owns the largest transporting business in the kingdom.
Besides transport the family has distributorship of ISUZU commercial and
passenger vehicles.
Bin Laden
 |
| Osama B. Laden famous terrorist belonging to Bin Laden family |
Bin Laden family is renowned for its business connections
across the globe. Saudi Bin Laden group is largest construction firm in the
world. Recently the contract for the construction of Kingdom Tower in Jeddah
has been signed. Kingdom tower is planned to be the world’s tallest building.
Al Gosaibi family
Al Gosaibi family is one of the leading merchant families of
the Middle East. Its business is diversified and includes oilfield services for
ARAMCO, interests in banking, insurance, shipping, trading, stevedoring and
manufacturing.
Jamjoom family
Jamjoom family is a prominent Saudi trading family in GCC
and African region. The industries in which the family has stakes includes
pharmaceuticals, Medical equipment and supplies, vehicles, hotels, food,
writing instruments and stationery, toys, perfumes, skin care, fashion and
metal industries.
Juffali Family
Juffali Group is the largest business house in Saudi Arabia.
Al Juffali family is currently worth 19.8 billion dollars according to list of
Arabs by net worth. Today the family business is looked after by sons of Ahmed
Juffali, Ebrahim and Ali.
Olayan family
Olayan group is founded by Sulaiman S. Olayan and now it is
managed by his sons and daughters. The
group has activities in trading, food processing and restaurants, construction,
cleaning products, paper, plastic and fiber and office equipment. The Olayan
family invests across the globe and is thought to own more than 10 billion
dollars.
AL Rajhi
Al Rajhi family owns the Al Rajhi bank, which is the largest
Islamic bank in the world. Al Rajhi
family is now the richest non royal Saudi family.
Al Sulaiman family
Al Sulaiman family is involved in different areas of
industry, real estate, and trade. Ghassan Ahmed Al Sulaiman is the sole owner
of IKEA Saudi Arabia.
