Economy
The global purchasing power of Tamil Muslims in 2011 was estimated at almost $13 billion viz. $5 billion in Tamil Nadu, $4 billion in Malaysia,, $3 billion in Sri Lanka, $600 million in Singapore. Tamil Muslims have historically been money changers (not money lenders) throughout South and South East Asia especially in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong are dominated by them. Generally Tamil Muslims are involved in various trades like retail, mutton shops, shops in foreign bazaar. They are also involved in pearl/gem trade and leather industry. The coloured stones business which Sri Lanka is famous for is in the hands of Tamil speaking Muslims. Other than Gujarati and Marwadis the only community doing wholesale diamond business in Hong Kong, Dubai, Belgium, Thailand other than Mumbai is Tamil Muslims from Ramnad. Semiprecious stones like peridot, rubilite, amethyst, or moonstone are led by Tamil Muslims from Tanjore district in countries like China, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Paper business by people from Erwadi. Department store, textile showrooms by people from Pallapatti. Burma bazar is led by entrepreneurs from Ramanathapuram district. Due to new emerging opportunities, lot of Tamil Muslims went to the Persian Gulf. Now lakhs of Tamil Muslims are spread over in GCC countries and also in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. This brought prosperity to the Tamil Muslim community. There are about 600 millionaires within the community and at least one billionaire viz. B.S. Abdur Rahman (better known as the Buhari Group) who founded the conglomerate ETA Star Group, Chennai Citi Centre, Chepauk Stadium, Marina Lighthouse, Valluvar Kottam, Government General Hospital, Gemini Flyover, Crescent Engineering College, et al.. He owns over 70 ocean-going vessels. Periya Thambi Nainar of 17th century was widely regarded as the first millionaire from the Tamil Muslim community.
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