A large number of Essex based businessmen and women feature in the latest Asian Xpress Rich List 2003, the official index of Britain's wealthiest Asians.

The Asian Xpress list puts the combined wealth of Britain's richest 300 Asians at an astounding £8.9bn, of which 46 in Essex contributed £400m.

According to Philip Beresford, author of the Sunday Times Rich List, who compiled the top 300 list, the Essex millionaires are headed by Basildon pharmacists Vijay Patel and his brother Bikhu, of Waymade production and distribution.

The top three wealthiest businessmen nationally are Lakshmi Mittal, of the LNM Group (£1.3bn), Mike Jatania and family, of Lornamead International (£570m) and the Patel Brothers from Basildon (£350m).

A relatively long distance behind are Humayun Mughal and Saeed Awan, of the Harlow based computer manufacturers, The Akhter Group (£15m), and Rashjmi Thakrar, of Tilda Rice (£14m), of Rainham.

Doing quite well is Madhoc Mehta, of Kearley Airways in Stansted (£11m) A newcomer into the top 300 this year is Rabinder Rai who owns the Ilford based nursing home company, Ran Care. Mr Rai is valued at £4m and enters the list at 286.

Published Monday, April 21, 2003

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