History & Background

Al-Jazeera FZCo. History goes back to 1972, when Mr. Mazin Ayass, its major contributor, established his first and own tire store, dealing in several local and international PC tire brands. At that time, and till 1988, private imports to the Iraqi market were not allowed. All imports were channeled through the Iraqi government, and the company was forced to work under the government’s ceiling. During this period, the company went through a series of corporate identity changes but remained focused on its main business field, working in tires, batteries and spare parts trading.

After 1988, the Iraqi government Allowed public imports, and a new company was established. This new company gained a large market share in the Iraqi market and especially Baghdad, and was growing at a very promising rate, until the Gulf war in 1990. Due to forced sanctions and embargos on Iraq, the company’s business, after the war, entered a period of slow growth, and the Iraqi economy was relatively weak and fragile. During this difficult time, the company managed to gradually increase its market share, and preserve its reputation, in being one of the elite, if not the first, company in tires and batteries trading in the Iraqi market. In that same period, between 1990 and 1996, the company depended on imports through Dubai (UAE) and Aqaba (Jordan), taking the risk of shipping under no insurance, and no guarantees in order to maintain its market share, and volume of sales.

In 1996 the company’s vision was to establish new markets in Jordan, Kuwait and UAE, in addition to the main Iraqi market. Following that objective, Al-Jazeera Trading FZCo. was established in 2001.

Between 1996 and 2003, The company managed to be the biggest tire importer and distributor in the Iraqi market, and among leading dealers in Dubai, Lebanon and Jordan, with sales volumes between 30 and 35 million US dollars per year.

After the American invasion to Iraq in 2003, the company’s business in Iraq grew exponentially, reaching a sales volume of 52 million US dollars in 2005. As the political situation in Iraq deteriorated in 2006 and 2007, most companies were forced to exit the Iraqi market, small companies diminished while other companies were forced to shift their operations outside of Iraq. Al-Jazeera’s management had a different approach; the company remained in the Iraqi market, and started to explore new business opportunities in the region. Aside from its main tire business, the company currently has diverse investments in hotels and logistic services.

Location

• Headquarters: Amman-Jordan.
• Regional Operations: Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and UAE.

Personnel

The company employs 300 employees directly and more than 250 employees indirectly.

Subsidiaries

• Logistics: Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, UAE.
• Hotels: Jordan.