THE MIDDLE EAST’S
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10. Ravi Pillai
Net Worth: $3.3 B
Age: 70
Residence: U.A.E.
Nationality: Indian
Industry: Construction & Engineering
Indian-born farmer's son, Ravi Pillai, migrated to Saudi Arabia after his small construction business in his native Kerala state went bust. With help from a well-connected local partner, he started over in 1978 and built his RP Group into a construction heavyweight. The construction magnate has used his Gulf riches to invest back home, picking up stakes in banks, hotels, and real estate.