Mohammad Al Gaz

Mohammad bin Abdallah bin Mohammad Al Gaz (Arabic: محمد القاز بن عبدالله بن محمد بن عبدالله بن سعيد بن مانع الفلاسي‎‎), was a figure in Dubai politics and business during the thirty-year period after the 1950s.

Born in what is now Dubai, U.A.E., circa 1930, Al Gaz was from the Al Bu Falasah family, a sub-sect of the larger Bani Yas tribe.

Often pictured in photographs with the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Al Gaz's role in politics was primarily as a friend and aide to the late ruler, and later as the first Chairman of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.

As the first major businessman from the ruling tribe of Dubai, Al Gaz was part of a small group of businessmen in the 1960s who pursued the goal of modernizing the city. In his early efforts after the federation of the country to bring in foreign companies, Al Gaz's holding company, United Arab Agencies, acquired a number franchises, including Pepsi Co., Nissan Motors, Royal Philips Electronics, Opel Cars (owned by General Motors), etc. By the 1980s, Al Gaz was also a property owner with approximately 40 high-story buildings developed and owned by his private company. In addition to his business interests, Al Gaz was a notable philanthropist who funded many charitable projects.

Al Gaz dropped out of the public eye in the 1980s.

Succeeded by eight sons, Mohammad Al Gaz relinquished the control and management of his holding firm to his eldest son, Abdallah Al Gaz, during his lifetime. On April 12, 2016, Mohammed Al Gaz passed away, leaving behind a lasting legacy of his accomplishments.

Trivia

Al Gaz was one of the passengers on the doomed BI Dara voyage, which was bombed in 1961 in Dubai waters.

References

http://www.poheritage.com/

See also: Emirati people, Bani Yas, and House of Al-Falasi

External links

• http://wikimapia.org/217982/Al-Gaz-building
• http://www.zawya.com/cm/profile.cfm/cid730440//United%20Arab%20Agencies
• http://www.dsmgdubai.com/dir1.htm