Spotlight
Jaidah Group
Information last updated on 20 October 2023
About the Co-Founders
Ibrahim Yousef Jaidah was born into a prominent Qatari family, members of which had served as British political agents (representatives or intermediaries of the British colonial administration at the time) and were active in trade.[7] Ibrahim began his business career as an entrepreneurial merchant with a fleet of vessels.[8] He had a small pearl diving business in Doha and occasionally embarked on trade trips to India.[9]
In 1898, Ibrahim and his sons established a business specializing in the import of merchandise from India and Persia to the region that encompasses modern-day Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.[10] The group’s initial focus was on essential commodities, including foodstuffs.[11]
With the onset of the First World War, Qatar formally became a British protectorate, linking its economy increasingly to global developments.[12] The war led to economic hardship for Doha, which was exacerbated in the 1920s with the collapse of the pearl trade.[13]
Over the course of that decade and the following one, Ibrahim slowly transitioned leadership of the family business to his sons. They continued the tradition of trade with India and, despite the volatile economic conditions, Ibrahim’s sons were able to modernize the business portfolio, diversifying into new trade fields such as electrical goods, appliances, and perfumes.[14] Members of the Jaidah family’s third and fourth generations, who would later become involved in the family business in various capacities, were born during this period: Khalil Jaidah in 1923, Mohammed Jaidah around the same time, Jassim Mohammed Jaidah in 1938, and Ali Al Jaidah in 1941.[15]
Growth Phase
Oil exports began from Qatar in 1949, leading to dramatic economic advancements over the subsequent decades.[16] The Jaidah family were heavily involved in multiple sectors of the oil industry, holding a variety of leadership positions at OPEC.[17] Paralleling the oil boom, the family business experienced tremendous growth in its operations.[18]
In 1965, one of Ibrahim’s grandsons, Jassim Jaidah, established Jaidah Motors & Trading Company (JMTC) as a Chevrolet dealer and exclusive distributor.[19] The family established Trags Electrical Engineering & Air Conditioning Co in 1974, focusing on electromechanical and plumbing contracting as well as civil contracting for major construction projects. The following year, they expanded into still more new sectors with the creation of Medgulf Construction WLL Co., with business lines ranging from civil and electromechanical contracting for oil and gas projects, water treatment plants, roads, and buildings to steel structure manufacture, pipeline installation, painting works, and repair and maintenance services. In 1976, the family established Jaidah Technology, which specializes in the distribution of information technology equipment, telecommunication infrastructure development, and consulting services, as well as the distribution of safety and security machinery.[20]
In reaction to the global financial crisis of 2009, many Qatari family businesses began transitioning into public companies. Jaidah Group chose to remain family-owned and run but underwent structural transformations, prioritizing long-term growth over immediate returns.[21] As part of this evolution, J&A Jaidah Holdings was established.[22]
In 2015, Jaidah Holding acquired the Gritti Palace luxury hotel in Venice, Italy, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Nozul Real Estate.[23] The company conducts its automotive business through Jaidah Automotive, the company’s vehicle division. Jaidah Automotive—successor to JMTC—remains the sole distributor of Chevrolet vehicles, as well as Isuzu vehicles, in Qatar, selling the cars through its four showrooms in the country.[24]
Today
Today, both Jaidah Group and J&A Jaidah Holding are headquartered in Doha, Qatar.[25] With over 5,000 employees, the business is led by members of both the third and fourth generations. Jassim Jaidah is chairman, and Mohamed Jassim Mohamed serves as key principal and group executive director. [26]
The family business has grown into one of Qatar’s largest diversified conglomerates. The Jaidah Group operates primarily in the automotive sector, with business lines that include the distribution, repair, and maintenance of passenger vehicles; distribution of construction and electrical machinery and equipment; interior design services; and furniture distribution. Jaidah Holding encompasses more than 15 subsidiaries that operate across the sectors of real estate, energy and engineering, and hospitality.[27] Outside of Qatar, the family business has a presence in over 30 countries.[28]
Notes
Photo Credit: Jaidah Group Main Office. Source: Jaidah Group
[1] “AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS.” AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS, http://www.aljaidah-brothers.com/company.html. Accessed 26 May 2023.
[2] “البوابة القانونية القطرية |.” الميزان | البوابة القانونية القطرية |, https://www.almeezan.qa/ClarificationsNoteDetails.aspx?id=7148&language=ar. Accessed 7 June 2023.
[3] Official incorporation was in 1901 according to some sources
[4] “Jaidah Group ranked among Forbes ME Top 100 Family Business.” LinkedIn, 7 May 2019, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jaidahgroup_jaidah-group-the-top-100-arab-family-businesses-activity-6976172805012770817-ZNv1/?originalSubdomain=lk. Accessed 26 May 2023.
[5] Mughal, Waqar. “Jaidah Group – The Top 100 Arab Family Businesses – Forbes Lists.” Forbes Middle East, 7 September 2022, https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/the-top-100-arab-family-businesses/jaidah-group/. Accessed 26 May 2023.
[6] Notwithstanding employees of the subsidiaries.
“ABOUT US – JAIDAH HOLDINGS.” JAIDAH HOLDINGS, https://jaidahholdings.com/corporate/about-us/. Accessed 26 May 2023.
Refinitiv
[7] ‘File 1/A/5 III ADMINISTRATION. QATAR AFFAIRS.’ [119r] (242/440), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/143, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100026539729.0x00002b> [accessed 7 June 2023]
[8] “AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS.” AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS.
[9] “Electric Qatar.” Construction Week, 19 February 2009, https://www.constructionweekonline.com/business/article-4453-electric-qatar. Accessed 26 May 2023.
[10] “AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS.” AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS.
[11] Gray, Matthew. Qatar: Politics and the Challenges of Development. Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2013. Accessed 26 May 2023.
[12] Fromherz, Allen James. Qatar: Rise to Power and Influence. I.B. Tauris, 2017. Accessed 7 June 2023. p.75.
[13] Hightower, Victoria Penziner. “Pearls and the Southern Persian/Arabian Gulf: A Lesson in Sustainability.” Environmental History, vol. 18, no. 1, 2013, pp. 44–59. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41721477. Accessed 7 June 2023.
[14] “AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS.” AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS.
“Electric Qatar.” Construction Week.
[15] Given our extensive reliance on archival evidence, the precise interconnections among the individuals with the Al Jaidah surname, as well as their relationships to the family business, remain somewhat elusive.
For Khali’s birth date see الكواري, ربيعة. “يستحق منا لمسة وفاء.. “خليل الجيدة” في ذاكرة الغوص على اللؤلؤ.” Al Shrq, 06 April 2020, https://al-sharq.com/opinion/06/04/2020/%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%. Accessed 7 June 2023.
For Mohammed’s birth date see Arabian Gulf Digital Archives. “Translations of the Official Gazette of the Government of Qatar numbers two, three and four of 1963.” AGDA, https://www.agda.ae/en/catalogue/tna/fo/371/168862. Accessed 07 June 2023.
For Jassim’s birth date see Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the State of Qatar. DIRECTORY OF MAJOR QATARI COMPANIES. 2014, https://dokumen.tips/documents/directory-of-major-qatari-companies.html?page=1. Accessed 26 May 2023.
For Ali’s birth date see “Ali Mohammed JAIDAH personal appointments – Find and update company information – GOV.UK.” Companies House, https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/46OPJbONhfZMxxq_XHoSBmXR6CQ/appointments. Accessed 7 June 2023.
[16] Fromherz, Allen James. Qatar: Rise to Power and Influence. p.115.
[17] el Mallakh, Ragaei, editor. OPEC: Twenty Years and Beyond. Taylor & Francis, 2018. Accessed 7 June 2023.P.151-152
See Arabian Gulf Digital Archives
[18] Gray, Matthew. Qatar: Politics and the Challenges of Development.
[19]“Jaidah Group ranked among Forbes ME Top 100 Family Business.” LinkedIn.
[20] Refinitiv
[21] Edey, Malcolm. “The Global Financial Crisis and Its Effects.” Economic Papers, vol. 28, no. 3, 2009, pp. 186-195. Wiley Online Library, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1759-3441.2009.00032.x. Accessed 07 June 2023.
“Qatar – Jaidah Group Qatar.” The Worldfolio, 26 August 2011, https://www.theworldfolio.com/news/jaidah-group-qatar-n/226/. Accessed 7 June 2023.
[22] “Jaidah About Us.” Jaidah Group, https://jaidah.com/aboutus/. Accessed 26 May 2023.
“J & A Jaidah Holdings – ClarifiedBy.” ClarifiedBy, https://clarifiedby.diligenciagroup.com/company/summary/3254546-j-and-a-jaidah-holdings/. Accessed 26 May 2023.
[23] “HOSPITALITY – JAIDAH HOLDINGS.” JAIDAH HOLDINGS, https://jaidahholdings.com/business-sectors/hospitality/. Accessed 7 June 2023.
Halligan, Neil. “Qatar group buys Venice hotel for $117m.” Arabian Business, 13 May 2015, https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/travel-hospitality/qatar-group-buys-venice-hotel-for-117m-592618. Accessed 26 May 2023.
[24] Alpen Capital. GCC Automobile Industry. 7 December 2016, http://argaamplus.s3.amazonaws.com/46aa1472-71b2-48e6-a65f-9c61a222c3d3.pdf. Accessed 26 May 2023.
[25] ““Jaidah Group ranked among Forbes ME Top 100 Family Business.” LinkedIn.
[26] Mughal, Waqar. “Jaidah Group – The Top 100 Arab Family Businesses – Forbes Lists.”
“AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS.” AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS.
[27] Refinitiv
[28] “Jaidah About Us.” Jaidah Group.
To cite this article please use:
“Jaidah Group” Family Business Histories Research Project, New York University Abu Dhabi and Tharawat Family Business Forum, 29 Jan. 2024, familybusinesshistories.org/spotlights/jaidah-group