Naguib Sawiris, an Egyptian entrepreneur who has a net worth of at least $3 billion, wants to use much of his money to buy an island that will help Syrian refugees find a new home. (Getty)
Naguib Sawiris is an Egyptian billionaire who wants to buy an island so hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria and other conflicts will have a home. He’s ready and willing to purchase an island from Greece or Italy and fund the development so refugees can move there. More than 2,300
Here’s what you need to know.
1. He Is Ready to Buy an Island And Fund the Infrastructure
Sawiris is ready to buy an island for hundreds of thousands of refugees. He’s looking at islands off of Greece or Italy, saying that there are dozens of deserted islands and plenty of space to give the 100,000 to 200,000 refugees a home, Yahoo! News reported. He said that purchasing the island could cost between $10 million and $100 million, but infrastructure would be the main investment. There would, of course, be challenges, such as persuading Greece or Italy to sell an island and figuring out customs laws and jurisdictions.
2. He Wants to Name the Island After the Syrian Boy Who Drowned
I found a name for the Island “ILAN “the young Syrian child thrown on turkish shore by the sea to remind us ! Now i need to find the Island!
Sawiris said on his Twitter account that he wants to name the island after the Syrian boy who drowned trying to find refuge. The boy, Alan Kurdi, was only 3-years-old. A photo of his body washed up on the shore of a Turkish beach captured worldwide attention. He and his brother and mother died in their attempt to escape Syria.
Sawiris said he wants to provide the island because refugees are being treated like cattle, when they should be treated like humans, Yahoo! News reported. He said that people could return home anytime they wanted and no one would be forced to stay on the island. He would start out by providing temporary shelters to refugees along with a port for boats to land. He would then employ people to build homes, hospitals, a university, and a hotel, he told CNN. In an interview with CNN, he was adamant that his plan could work:
All I need is the permission to put these people on this island. After that I don’t need anything anymore from them. I’ll pay them for the island, I’ll provide the jobs, I’ll take care of all the logistics. I know I can do that.”
3. He’s Chair of the Family Business, Orascom, Which Is One of Egypt’s Largest Conglomerates
Naguib Sawiris is chairman & CEO of Orascom Telecom and chairman of the board of Wind Telecomunicazion. He wants to use his success to help the refugees who are in need. (Getty)
Sawiris is a well-known businessman in Egypt, where he serves as the chief executive of Orascom TMT. Orascom operates mobile telephone networks and underwater communications networks, Yahoo! News reported. It’s one of Egypt’s largest conglomerates and Egypt’s largest private sector employer. He created Orascom’s railway, telecom, and information technology sectors. In the 1990s, Orascom was split into four companies: Orascom Telecom Holding, which he runs, Orascom Construction Industries, Orascom Hotels & Development and Orascom Technology Systems.
In addition to his work with Orascom, Sawiris owns an Egyptian TV channel and founded a political party called Al Masreyeen Al Ahrrar (Free Egyptians Party.) On his Twitter profile, he refers to himself as a “Freedom fighter, tired but strong! In God I trust.” He’s part of many associations, including a member of the Supreme Council of Sciences and Technology.
4. He Is Married And Has Four Children
Sawiris lives in Cairo, is married, and has four children. He speaks four languages: Arab, English, French, and German. He’s an Egyptian Christian who follows the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Sawiris’ entire family are entrepreneurs. His brother, Nassef, is chairman of Orascom Construction Industries, CNN reported. His other brother, Samih, runs Orascom Hotels & Development. Their father, Onsi, founded Orascom in 1950.
5. Sawiris’ Net Worth Is $3 Billion
Naguib Sawiris has said that he wants the refugees to be treated like humans and given a chance at a better life. (Getty)
Sawiris’ net worth is $2.9 billion and he was listed as the 544th richest person in the world, according to Forbes. He’s the third-richest person in Egypt. Together, the entire Sawiris family has a net worth of around $36 billion, Forbes has estimated.
