Doing business in Arab countries (continued)

If you want to start doing business abroad, it’s important to know about the culture in the country in which you want to do business. This may well stop you making a mistake that sabotages an important deal. It is therefore important to be well prepared for the business culture of the country in which you will be doing business. In order to help you become familiar with the business culture in countries in which Arabic is spoken, we have compiled some tips for you in this article. Before we start thinking about tips, however, it is important to be aware that not all countries in the Middle East have the same business customs. That said, more than enough general advice is given.

Religion

Islam is an important religion in practically all of the Middle Eastern countries. It is therefore important to take this into account. It wouldn’t be sensible to try and conduct business on Islamic holidays, for instance. Make sure that you know enough about the Muslim faith and its rituals and customs in order to avoid making mistakes.

Personal contact

Personal contact is very important in the Middle East. There is much less of a distinction between one’s personal and professional life than there is in the UK. It is therefore important to take the time to establish and build relationships. It is also important to be careful with your choice of words. The Koran places a lot of emphasis on verbal agreements, although contracts remain important, of course.