Diversification the key to economic prosperity in Kuwait
Al Shaheed Park, Kuwait City. Photo: Ahmad Mohammed via Unsplash The small nation of Kuwait sits at the top of the Persian Gulf, nestled between Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the northwest. With a land area of around 17,88 sq kilometres Kuwait is about the same size as Hawaii. The Arabic speaking population numbers approximately 4.7 million and more than 3.1 million live in [...]
Mariam Elliott, Middle East Connect & Cultural Advisors, Managing Director
Mariam Elliott, Managing Director, Middle East Connect & Cultural Advisors Managing Director of Middle East Connect & Cultural Advisors, Mariam Elliott, has deep expertise and lived experience dealing with communities across Arab communities including in the Arab Gulf, the Middle East and North Africa region. Her vast professional experience as an interpreter and cross-cultural advisor has led Mariam to a varied and interesting career, from 1970s London [...]
Doing business in friendly Bahrain
Photo by Ian Beeby via freeimages.com The most important advice for foreigners looking to establish business relationships in Bahrain is to be prepared and be patient. If you can demonstrate a long-term commitment to the nation, your overtures are more likely to fall on receptive ears. Relationships are important and so having a good local intermediary to act as guide and broker is a good investment. Bahrain: a small [...]
Traditional Oman has progressive business views
Muscat waterfront at sunset. Photo by Muhammad Shoaib on Unsplash Doing business in Oman Any foreign corporation seeking to invest in Oman would be well advised to obtain professional advice and to thoroughly investigate local market conditions. It is good practice to engage a local agent (who can also act as your interpreter) and to also seek counsel from successful foreign businesses already operating in the region. [...]
Now is the time to focus on Qatar – host nation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Doha city skyline of the 21st century Credit: Flavius Torcea via Unsplash Now is the time to focus on Qatar Now is a good time to learn about the Gulf state of Qatar because it will be hosting the 2022 football (soccer) World Cup and therefore front and centre on the world stage. The nation is also moving forward with a national plan to grow a [...]
Doing business in Saudi Arabia
Kingdom Tower, punches the sky over Riyadh. Hala AlGhanim / Unsplash Saudi Arabia’s location on the Arabian Peninsula makes the nation a strategic staging post for trade between Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Saudi membership of the G20 is recognition that despite its relatively small population, it is among the world’s most powerful economies. Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans for the future International [...]