Early trading in Kuwait
Before founding MAG, Moafaq A. Al Gaddah worked as a travelling merchant in Kuwait, buying and reselling clothes and shoes - the apprenticeship that shaped his approach to trade.
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 MAG founded in Abu Dhabi
Moafaq A. Al Gaddah establishes an automotive spare-parts business in Abu Dhabi (Moafaq Al Gaddah Trading Co.) with about KD1,000 in savings - the origin of MAG Group. The name 'MAG' derives from his initials.
Foundation Headquarters established in Abu Dhabi
MAG establishes its headquarters in Abu Dhabi and extends its commercial trading across the MENA region.
Foundation Expansion across the MENA region
The group expands its commercial/automotive trading footprint across the MENA region.
Foundation Headquarters moves to Dubai
MAG relocates its headquarters to Dubai; lubricants manufacturing is established and the group's export reach grows to dozens of countries.
Foundation MAG Group holding structure formed
The group's various interests are consolidated under a formal MAG Group holding structure.
Expansion Largest car-accessories exporter in the Middle East
MAG becomes recognised as the largest car-accessories exporter in the Middle East.
Expansion MAG Property Development founded
Moafaq A. Al Gaddah establishes MAG Property Development (later MAG Lifestyle Development), entering Dubai's real-estate sector - the group's most consequential strategic pivot. MAG 214 in JLT becomes its first project.
Expansion Invest Group Overseas (IGO) and MAG International established
IGO, the international real-estate arm, is established, along with MAG International Electromechanical Works in contracting and engineering.
Expansion MAG Container Lines (MCL) founded
MAG enters freight/shipping with MAG Container Lines - initially three vessels on the UAE-Iraq route.
Expansion MAG Royal Solutions (MRS) established
MAG Royal Solutions is established for parking solutions and project management; Moafaq is named 'Entrepreneur of the Year' at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards.
Expansion Gulf Link Cargo founded; US land acquired
Gulf Link Cargo (GLC) is founded to complement MCL; the group acquires land in the Frisco/Dallas area of Texas, beginning its North American presence.
Expansion The Eighth Gate launched with Emaar (Damascus)
IGO launches The Eighth Gate, a landmark mixed-use community in Damascus, Syria, in partnership with Emaar.
Next generation Emirates Financial Towers completed
The group completes Emirates Financial Towers in DIFC (with ENSHAA PSC), which becomes its headquarters.
Next generation Talal joins; Moafaq ranked among influential Arabs
Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah joins the family business via IGO; Moafaq is ranked 16th on the Arabian Business Power 500 'Most Influential Arabs' and named to the World Finance 100.
Next generation Guinness World Record; portfolio reaches AED 6 billion
The automated parking facility at Emirates Financial Towers (1,200 vehicles) sets a Guinness World Record; MAG Property Development's portfolio reaches AED 6 billion.
Next generation Talal appointed CEO of MAG LD; WEF Global Growth Company
Talal is appointed CEO of MAG Property Development (later MAG Lifestyle Development); MAG Group is granted World Economic Forum Global Growth Company status.
Next generation US market entry; MAG 5 Boulevard; Developer of the Year
MAG enters the US property market (framed as a $700M development ); MAG 5 Boulevard launches in Dubai South; MAG PD is named Developer of the Year at the Construction Week Awards.
Next generation ABLF Business Excellence Award; MAG LD rebrand
Moafaq 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 EYE is unveiled at Cityscape.
Next generation MAG Creek Wellbeing Resort recognised
The MAG Creek Wellbeing Resort (with Delos) wins Innovation Project of the Year at the Arabian Business Real Estate Awards, marking the group's move into wellness real estate.
Next generation MAG Eye community
MAG Eye, one of the group's largest master-planned communities (4,000+ units) in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, advances.
Wellness & Digital Keturah launched; Keturah Reserve; cancer-hospital pledge
Talal founds Keturah, a wellness-luxury real-estate and hospitality brand, launching Keturah Reserve in Meydan; Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah & Sons pledge AED 10 million to the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital.
Wellness & Digital Keturah Resort; Stabio Garden Living (Switzerland)
Keturah Resort opens on Dubai Creekside (first fully wellness-certified resort in MENA), and Keturah launches Stabio Garden Living in Switzerland - its international debut. MAG Group is listed among Forbes Middle East's Top 100 Arab Family Businesses.
Wellness & Digital Keturah Bahar; family-business recognition
Keturah Bahar (Dubai Maritime City) is announced; the AlGaddah family is listed among Arabian Business Family Dynasties Top 20.
Wellness & Digital USD 3B tokenization; Marsa Zayed; Keturah Ardh
MAG signs a USD 3 billion real-estate tokenization agreement with MultiBank Group and Mavryk; is selected as lead developer of Marsa Zayed (first phase Riviera Heights); and signs an MOU with CITIC Limited for Keturah Ardh.