Dubai: Abdul Gafour Ali Gargash, one of the UAE's leading businessmen, died on Monday at the age of 85.
Abdul Gafour Gargash was the owner of one of the leading business enterprises in the Gulf. The Gargash Group includes insurance, financial and real estate operations. The Mercedes-Benz dealership for Dubai and the Northern Emirates is the crown jewel of the group.
Abdul Gafour, who inherited the business from his father, developed it into a trading empire by bringing his nephews under his wing.
One nephew, Shehab Gargash, Chief Executive of Daman Investment, told Gulf News: "My late uncle Abdul Gafour was the pillar of the Gargash family, the tender heart that protected us and the wide open mind that drew the family future. We are going to miss a unique man and a true symbol for humanity and business."
Abdul Gafour was born in 1925 in Deira and went to Karachi to study business. He came back to the UAE in 1947.
Exceptional
He is regarded as one of the exceptional Emiratis who looked for education at a time when life in the UAE was simpler than it is now.
In 1918, Ali Gargash, his father, laid the foundations of Gargash Enterprises as a general trading company.
After his studies the son, Abdul Gafour joined the family business.
He expanded the business by securing the dealership of Mercedes-Benz in 1958, only to shift later to a more diversified business group.
Abdul Gafour, who did not have children, brought the five sons of his brother and sister to help him run the group.
"God bless his soul. He was a real father," said Shehab.
Very strict
Shehab said Abdul Gafour had a kind personality and a great sense of humour. However, he was very strict and was considered a workaholic.
"He was working till the last day of his life. He died of a heart attack two hours after leaving the office," Shehab said.
Abdul Gafour told his nephews to keep the family ties strong and to defend the family's interests. He was a model Emirati businessman.
The Gargash family is a typical Emirati family whose role in the country's economic growth is immense, according to Shehab.
Gargash Enterprises has been the authorised distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Dubai since 1958. It has five dealerships, showrooms and service centres across Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. The company employs more than 1,000 staff and has become one of the largest premium brands in the UAE.
The group also operates the Sixt car rental service, which operates from Dubai International Airport, Sharjah International Airport and Ras Al Khaimah.
Through its Silver Star Rental division, which was established in 2006, Gargash offers Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles on short and long term rentals.
