Its founder, Zainal Alireza, began trading from Jeddah in 1845 with the importation of foodstuffs, textiles and other merchandise from around the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent.These activities were later complemented by the acquisition of agencies of the shipping lines that carried these commodities.These activities were later complemented by the acquisition of agencies of the shipping lines that carried these commodities. From that time onward, the Company's growth parallels the modern history of Saudi Arabia in its multi-faceted progression.