John Halpin - Doing Business In The Arabian Gulf

DCU Business SchoolDCU Business School

Living & Working In The Middle East

Presentation By John Halpin

John@avtinternationalgroup.com

Topics to CoverTopics to Cover

Getting There - Legal Status ~ VisasEverything Needs A Stamp – Bureaucracy

Getting Up To Speed LocallyClimate ~ Too Hot To Handle?

Cultural / Political / Economic (Sensitivities & Awareness)Open Doors

A Land Of ContrastsDoing Business

Business EtiquetteDo’s & Don’t’sOne To Watch!

Getting ThereGetting There

Sponsorship & VisasCompany Sponsorship ~ The local employer will make all necessary arrangements regarding legal documents, entry visa, work visa, health checks.

Education / QualificationsThe Ex-Pat workforce is well educated and highly experienced.The Ruling Powers want the best and the brightest.

EmploymentIn order to reside in the UAE you must be in employment.

Get Up To Speed LocallyGet Up To Speed Locally

Get Out & AboutDubai is a terrific city to explore. Find your way around. Buy a Map.Talk to peopleExtremely Welcoming & Friendly

Climate ~ Hot and then some!Desert Heat50 Degree Cut Off PointBe Prepared – (Clothing)Air Conditioning – (Snuffles)

CuisineEnormous Variety, Indian, Pakistani, Philipino, Chinese, Japanese, European.All tastes catered for.

Then Again, There are cloudy days as well…Then Again, There are cloudy days as well…

Cultural ~ Political ~ Economic Cultural ~ Political ~ Economic SensitivitiesSensitivities

Arabic CultureFamily CentricIslam & Sharia LawSocially Active Political StructureRoyal Families Rule Each EmirateGovernment Appointments & Departments

EconomicsStill a strong marketPositive AttitudeResources are there for continued growth

Open DoorsOpen Doors

NetworkingHuge emphasis on networkingIndustry Representative AssociationsChambers of Commerce Western Living in Eastern LandsAlcohol (Personal Licence – On Trade Sales)RamadanDress Codes (Social & Business)Strict Culture Opened Their Doors Permitting Western Lifestyle…………Respect the local customs. Share in the opportunity.

A land of contrastsA land of contrastsSki in the desert,

& Ski in the desert

Doing BusinessDoing Business

AppointmentsGet Used To WaitingIt all happens…….……just not at the time you’d planned!Hope you like Coffee!Relationships

Working WeekSunday to Thursday (early to late)

Doing DealsWillingness to engageCompetitive MarketStrong Closer Will Win BusinessGet Paid……….

Do’s & Donts (& Please Don’t Do the Do’s & Donts (& Please Don’t Do the Donts!)Donts!)

Don'tBounce a ChequeBehave Aggressively (Road Rage & Hand Gestures)Drink Alcohol in PublicDrink & DriveEat Openly During Ramadan

DoRespect local traditionsGet involvedLearn some key phrasesTake your time over greetingsExpect People to Be LateWatch out for speeding traffic!And above all……..Enjoy the diversity and excitement of living and working in the Middle East.

مرحباMarhaba

One To Watch In The Middle EastOne To Watch In The Middle East

Qatar.........Qatar.........

/ شكرًا/شكرًا

ShukranShukran

Thank YouThank You