General Information
The businessmen in the states of the Persian Gulf tend to be highly qualified. Many of them have studied at western universities, already have business interests in western countries and are therefore familiar with our culture. They prefer to purchase products and services from business partners who offer good quality at a favourable price. The Middle East must not be treated as one Arab region because, in their eyes, that is disrespectful. The countries which are of the greatest importance to us in terms of business are members of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), i.e., Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. There are trade agreements among the GCC countries and their citizens are able to freely travel between member states.
It is important to know that, although Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah united and formed the United Arab Emirates in 1971, they all still have their own leaders and own governance to a certain extent.
