The family became part of the commercial elite of Lübeck from the late 18th century.

In each case, spokesmen for a disaffected group complained of being ignored by the city's political and commercial elite.

They formed the social, commercial, political and cultural élite in that region for several centuries.

The administration was also backed by Egypt's commercial, religious and social élite.

But a 'new commercial elite had emerged with exceptionally strong English connections.

If his family wants to keep its place among Hong Kong's commercial elite, he says, it must join the revolution.

But it is only recently that Vandross has been able to count himself among today's commercial elite.

They opposed the growing class of commercial elites and speculators.

With the financial expansion, trading rights became more jealously guarded by the commercial elite.

Northern political, administrative, and commercial elites were reluctant to recognize that they now had to deal with Mogadishu.