Khalid Mohammed Kanoo passes away at 84

Leaving a lasting legacy in Bahrain’s economic history

Bahrain bid farewell on Friday evening to one of its most prominent business and community leaders, Khalid Mohammed Kanoo, Chairman of Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Group. He passed away at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy deeply tied to the Kingdom’s economic and social development.

Born in Manama in 1941, Khalid Kanoo pursued his studies in commerce and later completed the Advanced Management Program in the United States. He joined the family business in 1969 and, after years of dedicated service, became Managing Director in 1995 before eventually serving as Chairman. Under his leadership, the Kanoo Group—one of the Gulf’s oldest family businesses, established in 1890—expanded its regional and global presence across sectors including trade, travel, shipping, real estate, and logistics.

Khalid Kanoo was not only a leader in business but also an active contributor to Bahrain’s national institutions. He served as Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry during one of its terms, was a member of the Economic Development Board, and sat on the board of the Bahrain Monetary Agency (now the Central Bank of Bahrain).

Beyond the economic sphere, he played a pioneering role in healthcare. He founded and chaired the Gulf Diabetes Specialist Center in partnership with Harvard University’s Joslin Diabetes Center, establishing the Kingdom’s first dedicated facility for diabetes treatment and research.

Khalid Mohammed Kanoo will be remembered as a symbol of generosity, progress, and national service—a man who blended heritage with modern vision to help shape Bahrain’s path of growth.