PRINCE WALEED BIN TALAL AL-SAUD Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company

“The Middle East is witnessing a renaissance right now, a sort of awakening – a sense of wanting to be incorporated into the world community,” says Prince Waleed Bin Talal Al-Saud, Chairman of Kingdom Hold-ing Company.

Certainly the prince is a prime example of how to take part in the world arena. With interests in all sectors of the economy – banking, entertainment, hotels, retail and telecoms to name but a few – and investments all over the globe, Kingdom Holding is one of the biggest firms in the Muslim world. Having built up the company himself through shrewd investments since 1979, its chairman emphasizes that caution is a key element in the balance between risk and reward. “I’m not like those men who became overnight billionaires in 2000 only to crash soon after,” he says.

The prince is as well known for his philanthropic endeavors as for his business investments. Money has been donated not only at home for specific projects to do with poverty alleviation, but to deal with emergencies and ongoing problems around the world. After the tsunami disaster, Kingdom Holding donated $80 million to reconstruction efforts.

Prince Waleed is very eager to bridge the gap between cultures; he has established American centers at Middle-East universities to contribute to a better understanding of the U.S. and its systems. With many of his investments in this part of the world, he is a firm believer in nations’ need for cooperation.

“I’d like to rebuild bridges with the world community and am willing to do my utmost to bridge any misunderstandings between East and West, Christianity and Islam. I am also willing to commit my influence, integrity and wealth to making this world a more peaceful and stable place,” he concludes.