MAG founded in Abu Dhabi
Moafaq Ahmad Al Gaddah establishes Moafaq Al Gaddah Trading Co. in Abu Dhabi, dealing in automotive spare parts, with about KD 1,000 in savings. The name 'MAG' derives from his initials.
01 — The founder
A trader who became a builder.
The story of Moafaq A. Al Gaddah — from a young merchant to the founder and chairman of one of the region's most diversified groups.
01
Origins
Born in Syria, Moafaq A. Al Gaddah came of age as a young trader — the unglamorous, face-to-face apprenticeship that teaches how markets actually work. In 1978 he moved to Abu Dhabi with modest savings and an appetite to build.
02
A spare-parts shop becomes a group
He opened a business selling automotive spare parts; the company took his initials — MAG. From spare parts came accessories, from trade came logistics, and by 1998 the interests were consolidated under a holding structure.
03
Real estate and global expansion
The pivotal move was property. From 2003 MAG entered Dubai's real-estate market — the decision that reshaped the group and carried its name beyond the UAE.
04
An institution, not only a business
The clearest expression of long-term thinking is succession — values transferred to the next generation, with the founder as their anchor.
S/09 — A history of
The journey, 1978 → 2025.
Foundation Foundation Headquarters established in Abu Dhabi
MAG sets up its headquarters in Abu Dhabi and begins extending its automotive trade across the region.
Foundation Expansion across the MENA region
The group extends its automotive-accessories trade across the wider MENA region.
Foundation Headquarters moves to Dubai
MAG relocates its headquarters to Dubai and establishes lubricants manufacturing; its export reach grows to more than 55 countries.
Foundation International automotive trade
The automotive division expands its trade to more than 20 countries.
Expansion Largest car-accessories exporter in the Middle East
MAG becomes the largest car-accessories exporter in the Middle East, holding roughly 40% of the MENA market.
Expansion Industrial manufacturing
Al Gaddah General Trading L.L.C. is established as a manufacturer and supplier of premium petroleum-derived lubricants in the UAE.
Expansion MAG Property Development founded
Moafaq A. Al Gaddah leads the group into Dubai real estate, founding MAG Property Development (later MAG Lifestyle Development). MAG 214 in JLT becomes its first project.
Expansion IGO and MAG International established
Invest Group Overseas (IGO), the international real-estate arm, is established, along with MAG International Electromechanical Works in contracting and engineering.
Expansion MAG Container Lines founded
MAG enters freight and logistics with MAG Container Lines, beginning with three vessels on the UAE–Iraq route.
Expansion MAG Royal Solutions; Entrepreneur of the Year
MAG Royal Solutions is established for parking and project-management solutions; Moafaq A. Al Gaddah is named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards.
Expansion MAG 214 delivered; Arab Family Ambassador
MAG 214 is handed over in Jumeirah Lakes Towers; Moafaq A. Al Gaddah is named the first Arab Family Ambassador and listed among the Top 50 Wealthiest Arabs; Gulf Link Cargo and MAGme Property Solutions are established.
Expansion The Eighth Gate launched with Emaar
IGO and Emaar launch The Eighth Gate, a landmark mixed-use community in Damascus, Syria.
Expansion MAG 218 completed
MAG 218, a 66-storey residential tower, is completed in Dubai Marina.
Next generation Emirates Financial Towers completed
The group completes Emirates Financial Towers in DIFC (with ENSHAA PSC), which becomes its headquarters, and delivers MAG Hotel Apartments in Bur Dubai.
Next generation Global recognition; scholarship fund
Moafaq A. Al Gaddah is featured by World Finance, ranked among the world's most influential Arabs, and named to the World Finance 100; the Moafaq Al Gaddah Scholarship Fund is established at the American University of Sharjah.
Next generation Guinness World Record; AED 6 billion portfolio
The automated parking facility at Emirates Financial Towers (1,200 vehicles) sets a Guinness World Record; MAG joins the Construction Week Power 100; the property portfolio reaches AED 6 billion; the AED 300 million Art Centre is launched.
Next generation WEF Global Growth Company; Talal appointed CEO
MAG Group is granted Global Growth Company status by the World Economic Forum; Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah is appointed CEO of MAG Property Development.
Next generation US market entry; Meydan handovers
MAG enters the US property market with a USD 700 million development in the Frisco–Dallas area; the Polo Residence and Polo Townhouses are handed over in Meydan; Moafaq A. Al Gaddah is named Leading Business Entrepreneur of the Year by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce.
Next generation ABLF Business Excellence Award; MAG LD rebrand
Moafaq A. Al Gaddah receives the ABLF Business Excellence Award (presented by H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan); MAG Property Development is rebranded as MAG Lifestyle Development; MAG 318 and MAG 230 are launched and an International Alliances Department is established.
Next generation Wellness real estate; MAG 5 Boulevard
The MAG Creek Wellbeing Resort is recognised as Innovation Project of the Year and at the Global Infrastructure Congress, marking the group's move into wellness real estate; MAG 5 Boulevard is completed in Dubai South; MAG contributes AED 3.3 million to Sandooq Al Watan.
Wellness & Digital Community engagement
MAG Group enters a strategic sponsorship of the Shabab Al Ahli football club and expands its community and corporate-responsibility activities.
Wellness & Digital Portfolio delivery
The Estate Residence in Al Furjan and MAG 318 are completed, and the MBL Royal development in JLT advances.
Wellness & Digital Keturah launched; cancer-hospital pledge
Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah founds Keturah, a wellness-integrated luxury real-estate and hospitality brand, launching Keturah Reserve on a 'Bio Living' concept and announcing The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside; the family pledges AED 10 million to the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital.
Wellness & Digital Keturah Resort; Stabio Garden Living
Keturah Resort opens on Dubai Creekside as the first fully wellness-certified resort in MENA, and Keturah launches Stabio Garden Living in Switzerland — its international debut. MAG is listed among Forbes Middle East's Top 100 Arab Family Businesses and contributes AED 10 million to the '1 Billion Meals' Endowment.
Wellness & Digital USD 12 billion portfolio; family recognition
MAG's real-estate portfolio reaches roughly USD 12 billion, with a pipeline of about USD 10 billion in design for 2025–2026; the AlGaddah family is listed among Arabian Business Family Dynasties Top 20.
Wellness & Digital Keturah Ardh × CITIC; Marsa Zayed; tokenization
MAG and CITIC Limited sign an MOU for the AED 22 billion Keturah Ardh development in Dubai; MAG is selected by AD Ports Group as lead developer of Marsa Zayed in Aqaba, Jordan (first phase, Riviera Heights); and MAG signs a USD 3 billion real-estate tokenization agreement with MultiBank Group and Mavryk.
Wellness & Digital Four decades in the spotlight
Moafaq A. Al Gaddah is featured in a Developers News Magazine cover interview, reflecting on the group's evolution since 1978, as MAG continues its Syria-focused engagement, including the Australian-Syrian Chamber of Commerce and the Yaafour 963 project launch.