Dubai: Abu Dhabi-based businessman Yusuffali MA emerged as the most powerful Indian businessman in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for the fourth time in a row in a '100 most powerful Indians' list announced by Arabian Business magazine. Yusuffali, who owns the Lulu Hypermarkets chain of stores, took the top slot ahead of food giant Feroz Allana. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Standard Chartered Bank's Middle East chief operating officer V Shankar came third, ahead of healthcare boss and owner of UAE exchange BR Shetty. Venture capitalist Ragu Kataria secured the fifth spot and Dubai-based lawyer Ashish Mehta ranked seventh.

This year's list also featured a record 11 female entries. UAE-based medical professional and entrepreneur Zulekha Daud secured 20th position in the list. Dubai-based Jumbo Group chairperson Vidya Chhabria ranked 39th. "The contribution of the Indian community to the growth of the GCC has been nothing short of spectacular, and everyone on this list has played and continues to play a major part in that story," Arabian business editor Ed Attwood said in a statement.