Akram Ojjeh


Akram Ojjeh was a Syrian-born Saudi businessman. Ojjeh was an intermediary in deals between Saudi Arabia and France, particularly arms sales. Ojjeh founded Techniques d'Avant Garde, an investment company focused on advanced technologies.

Techniques d'Avant Garde, (TAG)

Ojjeh founded Techniques d'Avant Garde, an investment company focused on advanced technologies.
TAG Group S.A. generates revenue through its various subsidiaries that offer products and services in the business aviation, motorsports, hospitality, consumer products and real estate industries.
TAG was formed in 1977 is currently led by Akkram's son Mansour
In 1985, TAG Group S.A. purchased Swiss watchmaker Heuer. TAG Group combined the TAG and Heuer brands to create the TAG Heuer brand and also gave its newly acquired watchmaking subsidiary the combined TAG Heuer name. Under TAG Group's ownership, TAG Heuer modernised its product line and significantly increased worldwide sales. LVMH purchased the TAG Heuer subsidiary in 1999 for US$740 million.
TAG Group is now primarily a holding company for Ojjeh shareholdings in TAG Aviation and MTG.

Al-Yamamah arms deal

Ojjeh was involved in the marketing of the French Mirage 2000 fighter jet to Saudi Arabia in competition with the British Tornado. Adnan Khashoggi said in 1994 that Ojjeh was persuaded by the British sales team to "drop his role as 'fixer' for the French." British Aerospace went on to win what became the Al-Yamamah arms deal.

''SS France'' liner

Akram Ojjeh purchased the ocean liner SS France in October 24, 1977, for 80 million francs. On June 25, 1979, he sold it to Knut Kloster, the owner of Norwegian Caribbean Line, for 77 million francs.

Personal life

Ojjeh was married four times. He was first married to a French woman with whom he had five children including Mansour and Aziz. He later married to Nahed Tlass who is the daughter of former Syria Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass.