Our History
From Taiz to the World
What began in 1938 as a single retail shop in Aden has grown, over more than eight decades, into a diversified group spanning food, manufacturing, trading, and services across more than a dozen countries. This is the journey, year by year.
Aden, Yemen
1938
Hayel Saeed Anam & Brothers
The story began with the family's first retail shop in Aden — the modest trading venture from which the entire Group would grow.
Aden, Yemen
1943
Wholesale & General Agencies
The business grew into wholesale, import and export, and general agency representation, broadening its trade well beyond the original shop.
Mocha, Yemen
1950
Expansion into Northern Yemen
The family extended its trade into the north of the country, opening new markets from a base in the port city of Mocha.
Aden, Yemen
1952
Hayel Saeed Anam & Co.
The enterprise was formally recognised as a business partnership, giving the growing family business its lasting name and structure.
Hodeidah, Yemen
1962
Mideast Shipping
Mideast became the first shipping company in northern Yemen, opening sea routes that connected the young family business to wider regional markets.
Taiz, Yemen
1969
Group Headquarters
The Group established its headquarters in Taiz, anchoring the family enterprise in its highland home and laying foundations for decades of growth.
Taiz, Yemen
1970
Yemen Biscuits & Confectionery
Yemen Biscuits & Confectionery launched as the first industrial venture for both the Group and the country's private sector, pioneering local manufacturing.
Taiz, Yemen
1971
Hayel Saeed Anam Charity Foundation
The Hayel Saeed Anam Charity Foundation was established to give back to communities through education, health, and relief work across Yemen.
Dubai, UAE
1974
Frimex Investment Company
Frimex Investment Company marked the Group's first regional expansion, growing the trading business beyond Yemen and into the wider Gulf.
London, UK
1977
Longulf
Longulf marked the Group's first international expansion — its first trade and industrial business — extending the commercial network from London into Europe and signalling global ambitions to come.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1988
Pacific Inter-Link
Pacific Inter-Link established the Group's presence in the Far East from Kuala Lumpur, building a trading gateway into fast-growing Asian markets.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
1988
Saudi Biscuits & Confectionery
The Group's first industrial venture with Saudi partners began in Jeddah, bringing its biscuit and confectionery expertise to the Kingdom's growing market.
Cairo, Egypt
1992
Arma
Arma became the Group's first industrial venture in northeast Africa, producing edible oils and ghee for households across Egypt and the region.
Taiz, Yemen
1993
Alsaeed Commodity Trading
Alsaeed Commodity Trading expanded the Group's commodity business from Taiz, broadening its portfolio and strengthening the supply networks behind its growing food businesses.
Taiz, Yemen
1996
Al-Saeed Foundation for Science & Culture
The Al-Saeed Foundation for Science and Culture was established to enhance the Group's social responsibility, investing in education, research, and cultural life.
London, UK
1998
Cepack
Cepack began carton production to serve the Group's growing operations, securing reliable packaging for its expanding range of manufactured food products.
Sumatra, Indonesia
1999
PT Pacific Palmindo Industry
PT Pacific Palmindo Industry opened in North Sumatra as one of the region's largest palm-oil refining plants, anchoring the Group in Indonesia.
Dubai, UAE
2006
Midstar
Midstar was established in Dubai for the general trading of agro commodities, connecting global suppliers and markets to feed the Group's expanding manufacturing operations.
Aden, Yemen
2008
National Cement Company
National Cement Company opened in Aden as one of the biggest plants in cement manufacturing, extending the Group beyond food into heavy industry.
Nairobi, Kenya
2015
Golden Africa
Golden Africa opened an oil and ghee plant in Nairobi, extending the Group into East Africa and serving fast-growing consumer markets there.
Dubai, UAE
2015
Headquarters Move to Dubai
The Group transferred its headquarters to Dubai, creating a central hub to coordinate operations spanning Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Dubai, UAE
2019
Innovative Efficient Solutions
Innovative Efficient Solutions launched from Dubai to invest in renewable energy, reflecting the Group's commitment to sustainability and a lower-carbon future.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2020
Technoval
Technoval was established in Jeddah to deliver IT solutions and systems integration, modernising the Group's technology and supporting its digital transformation.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2024
Frimex
Frimex deepened the Group's presence through strategic investments from Riyadh, strengthening its position across Saudi Arabia's fast-evolving trading and investment landscape.
Cairo, Egypt
2025
BiscoMisr
BiscoMisr brought biscuit and confectionery manufacturing into the Group in Cairo, reinforcing its leadership in Egypt's food sector and the wider region.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2026
Gulf NeoCare
Gulf NeoCare brought pharmaceuticals and medical devices into the Group from Riyadh, opening a healthcare chapter built on the same standards of quality.
Our Reach
From Taiz to the World
More than eight decades on, the Group's people, plants, and partnerships span West Africa to Southeast Asia.