Combined wealth of 12 Arab billionaires increases by 9% to $168.6 billion

The combined wealth of 12 billionaires of Arab origins has increased by 9 percent, to $168.6 billion, in less than three months, Forbes Middle East reported on Friday.

The increase is mainly due to an expansion of Mexican billionaire with Lebanese Origins Carlos Slim Helu’s wealth, who gained $12.7 billion in almost 12 weeks, bringing his net worth to a total of $93.9 billion by the end of May.

Helu – the honorary chairman of Latin America's biggest mobile telecom firm América Móvil – is the world’s richest person of Arab descent, as he climbed three positions in the real-time billionaire ranking to become one of the top 10 richest people globally.

In Forbes' recently published list of 12 billionaires, four are of Lebanese origin and have a combined fortune of $138.3 billion. 

Two of the billionaires are of Syrian origin and have a combined wealth of $11.5 billion, while another two are of Mexican origin and have a combined wealth of $8.7 billion.

There are single representatives for Jordan, Egypt, Iraq and Sudan present in the list.

After Helu, the following billionaires of Arab were listed in Forbes' reveal:

Rodolphe Saade (and family) of Lebanese descent. Saade – who specialises in shipping - is the CEO of CMA GMM, a group with investments in over 50 port terminals in 33 countries. Net worth = $41.4 billion.

The Safra siblings – of Syrian origin – who are the adult children of the late Brazilian businessman and banker Joseph Safra. Net worth = $8.2. billion.

Patrick Drahi, a French telecom tycoon of Moroccan origin. Net worth = $6.9 billion.

Ramzi Musallam, an American private equity specialist of Jordanian descent. Net worth = $4 billion.

Mohed Altrad, a French national of Syrian descent and founder of the Al-Trad group, which provides construction and maintenance services. Net worth = $3.3 billion.

Haim Saban, American national of Egyptian origin, businessman and television producer known for 'Power Rangers'. Net worth = $3.1 billion.

Mark Lasry, American citizen of Moroccan origins and founder of global investment firm Avenue Capital Group. Net worth = $1.8 billion.

David Hindawi, US citizen and Iraqi national, and executive chairman of cybersecurity firm Tanium. Net worth = $1.8 billion.

Noubar Afeyan, US citizen of Lebanese descent and chairman and co-founder of biotech firm Modern. Net worth = $1.7 billion.

Alfredo Harp Helu (and family), Mexican businessman of Lebanese origin, who made his fortune in banking and investments. Net worth = $1.3 billion.

Mohammed Ibrahim, British national of Sudanese origin, and founder of Celtel International which was one of the first mobile phone companies serving Africa and the Middle East. Net worth = $1.2 billion.