The illustrious Great Grandfather of our Vice President is Haaji Marhoom Muhammadh Abdul Haadhi Vaapa, who in 1870 established his grocery shop dealing in spices, rice and other staples in the southern district of Ervadi Dargah, Ramanathapuram District in Tamilnadu when the country was still under the British Colonial Rule.

The shop was named ‘M/s. Badusha Nayagam Maligai Kadai’ and was trading not too far from the sacred Ervadi Darga in Ervadi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District, Tamilnadu, India.The region later produced hundreds of entrepreneurs in 19th century who became successful businessmen across many countries in the Persian Gulf. By dint of hardwork, personal integrity and honesty, the family was way ahead of its times and the Vice President’s Grandfather Haaji Marhoom Muhammad Kaasim Vaapa was no exception. He founded the ‘M/s. Hussain Maligai Kadai’ in Cross Street, Kilakarai.

Taking the rich family heritage forward Marhoom Gani Mohamed Vaapa interestingly chose to deal with Textiles and founded ‘M/s. Jasmine Textiles’ in 1998 in Royapettah, Chennai.

In the year 2021, ‘M/s. Gani Appa Traders’ came into being in Royapettah, Chennai, and M/s. Zerone Tiles and Granites, Madurai, in which our Vice President took a keen interest which culminated in him floating his own venture under the flagship name ‘Green Fresh’ (traded as ‘M/s. Green Fresh General Trading Company LLC’in Dubai, UAE).

Under the guidance of his uncle Kassim periyappa, Mr. Mohamed Abdul Rahman Jifree spearheads its operations across India, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and far-east Asian countries. ‘He who knows how to obey knows how to command’ is an age old saying.

True to it, Mr Jifree has risen to head the global operations working up from scratch. He brings to the table his rich experience of working with various stakeholders across the Persian Gulf countries thereby ensuring business continuity driving the group’s profitability and revenue growth over these years.

Some of his own ventures include M/s. Imskutty General Trading (dealing with Saffron, Dry Dates & Nuts), M/s. Palm Gems in Ras Al Khaimah and M/s. Zain HR Consulting in Fujairah, UAE.

He was instrumental in the founding of M/s. Silver Gate General Trading (dealing in exports of Farm Shrimps (Vannami), Prawns & Fresh Seafood) in 2017 which has been spun off as a separate entity.

GFGT, his brain child, has been his passion ever since the world opened up post Covid induced lockdowns, The company is well on its track to achieve double digit growth. Driven by passion, Mr Jifree is focused on customer centric approach and leaves no stone unturned to achieve the group’s objectives.

Alhamdhulillah, the exciting journey has just began.