c. 1975-1978
Early trading in Kuwait
Before founding MAG, Moafaq Ahmad Al Gaddah worked as a traveling merchant in Kuwait, buying clothes and shoes wholesale and selling them at retail.
Kuwait
03
Master Timeline
The journey, milestone by milestone
A four-decade journey through the milestones that shaped it. Travel through the years in Journey mode, or filter and search in Explore.
Scroll to travel through the years
A history of
The MAG journey
trading automotive February 1978
MAG founded in Abu Dhabi (automotive spare parts)
Moafaq Ahmad Al Gaddah establishes his first venture, an automotive spare-parts business in Abu Dhabi, with about KD1,000 in savings. This is the origin of what became MAG Group.
Abu Dhabi, UAE
automotive 1979-1985
Diversification within automotive trading
The business, operating as Moafaq Al Gaddah Trading, expands its product range to car accessories, tires, batteries, filters and related products, growing beyond a single spare-parts shop.
Abu Dhabi, UAE
shipping Entry into shipping sector
MAG diversifies into shipping around 1982, its first major move beyond the automotive sector.
UAE
trading Expansion to Dubai
MAG's first geographic expansion beyond Abu Dhabi, with a business presence established in Dubai.
Dubai, UAE
trading Diversification into gold trading
MAG enters the gold-trading business around 1990 as part of its continued diversification.
UAE
Foundation Formal MAG Group holding structure created
Various business interests are consolidated under a formal MAG Group holding-company structure, marking the transition from a trading enterprise to a structured conglomerate.
UAE
real estate MAG Property Development established
Moafaq Al Gaddah establishes MAG Property Development, entering Dubai's real-estate sector in what became the group's most consequential strategic pivot.
Dubai, UAE
Expansion IGO established
MAG establishes IGO in 2004, broadening the group's portfolio.
UAE
real estate 2005-2008
International expansion into Syria
MAG expands into the Syrian market between 2005 and 2008, including the Eighth Gate mixed-use development in Damascus.
Syria
real estate 2007 (range 2007-2010)
North American market entry (Frisco/Dallas, Texas)
MAG acquires land in the Frisco/Dallas area of Texas, marking its entry into the North American property-development market.
Frisco/Dallas, Texas, USA
Expansion c. 2010-2011
Group grows into a diversified conglomerate
By around 2010, MAG Group had grown into a diversified group of companies with a substantial international workforce.
UAE
Expansion Ranked 16th 'World's Most Influential Arabs'
Moafaq Al Gaddah is ranked 16th on the World's Most Influential Arabs list and named to the World Finance 100 List.
Expansion February 11, 2013
World Finance leadership interview
Moafaq Al Gaddah is featured in a World Finance interview on leadership and MAG Group.
real estate Construction Week Power 100 inclusion
Moafaq Al Gaddah is listed on Construction Week's Power 100 of influential figures in Middle East construction.
Middle East
Next Generation March 9, 2014
Al-Shahbandar documentary feature
An Arabic documentary titled 'Al-Shahbandar' profiles Moafaq Al Gaddah's business achievements and MAG's expansion.
UAE
Next Generation November 23, 2017
ABLF Business Excellence Award
Moafaq Al Gaddah receives the Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF) Business Excellence Award, presented by H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan.
UAE
Next Generation May 18, 2018
CNBC Arabic interview
Moafaq Al Gaddah is featured on CNBC Arabic, sharing advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
UAE
Next Generation November 11, 2020
Strategic partnership with a sports club
MAG announces a strategic partnership and sponsorship with Shabab Al Ahli Football Club.
UAE
philanthropy August 16, 2022
AED 10 million pledge to Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital
Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah & Sons pledge AED 10 million to support the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital, linked to the Al Jalila Foundation.
Dubai, UAE
Wellness & Digital August 1, 2023
Forbes Middle East Top 100 Arab Family Businesses
MAG Group is listed among Forbes Middle East's Top 100 Arab Family Businesses.
Middle East
Wellness & Digital September 2, 2024
Arabian Business 100 Most Inspiring Leaders
Moafaq AlGaddah is included in Arabian Business's '100 Most Inspiring Leaders' list.
Middle East
Wellness & Digital December 10, 2024
Arabian Business Family Dynasties Top 20
MAG Group / the AlGaddah family is listed among Arabian Business's Family Dynasties Top 20 family businesses.
Middle East
real estate 2025 (May)
Landmark real-estate asset-tokenization agreement
MAG signs a large-scale real-estate asset-tokenization agreement with MultiBank Group and blockchain firm Mavryk, one of the region's most significant real-world-asset initiatives.
Dubai, UAE
real estate January 2025
Selected as lead developer of Marsa Zayed
MAG is selected by AD Ports Group as lead developer of the Marsa Zayed beachfront resort and residential development.
Marsa Zayed (Abu Dhabi or Jordan — unresolved)