A Guide to Doing International Business in the Middle East
The Middle East is a diverse area with 246 million inhabitants, four different cultures, and three prominent religions including Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. As the world continues to develop, more and more companies are choosing to break into the Middle Eastern market.
To help you navigate this business landscape, we’ve prepared a collection of references covering various topics. These include business etiquette, negotiation strategies, decision-making processes, cultural norms, and regional standards/laws.
General Resources For the Middle East
ISTIZADA
Doing Business in the Middle East
This primary article deals with cultural norms and business in general for Middle Eastern countries.
COMMISCEO GLOBAL
Essential Tips for Doing Business in The Middle East
Much like the first article, this link covers the basics but it lends some extra focus to Islam and its influence on business in the region.
Selling cross-border to the Middle East: What strategies work best
This article offers insights into cross-border business strategies.
Doing Business
The Middle East & North Africa
- This resource contains various statistics for those who wish to establish a physical business in the Middle East.
https://www.doingbusiness.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/media/Profiles/Regional/DB2020/MENA.pdf
Business Resources for the UAE
International Trade Administration
United Arab Emirates Country Commercial Guide
This is a market overview prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Market challenges
Market opportunities
Market strategies
ISTIZADA
UAE Digital Marketing Country Profile
For those who intend to focus on the UAE, this link offers excellent insight into digital marketing. details.
THE PAYPERS
Cross Border E-Commerce Research In Middle East / Africa
This website covers cross-border business with a focus on the UAE.
Dubai-Freezone
Business strategy/etiquette
This short article covers standard business etiquette.
Negotiation tactics
Business Resources for Saudi Arabia
International Trade Administration
Saudi Arabia Commercial Guide
This is a market overview prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Market challenges
Market opportunities
Market strategies
Cultural Atlas
Saudi Arabian Culture
This particular site provides excellent information on business greetings in Saudia Arabia along with general concepts, etiquette, do’s and don’ts, and more.
Greetings:
General concepts
Etiquette
Do’s & dont’s
Business culture
Business Resources for Egypt
International Trade Administration
Egypt Commercial Guide
This is a market overview prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Market challenges
Market opportunities
Market strategies
Cultural Atlas
Egyptian Culture
This is a collection of information regarding greetings, concepts, business etiquette, and more.
Greetings
General concepts
Etiquette
Do’s & dont’s
Business culture
World Business Culture
Doing Business in Egypt
This articles offers useful insights into the Egyptian market’s strengths
Business Resources for Turkey
International Trade Administration
Turkey Commercial Guide
This is a market overview prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Market challenges
Market opportunities
Market strategies
Cultural Atlas
Turkish Culture
This is a collection of information regarding greetings, concepts, business etiquette, and more.
Greetings
- https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/turkish-culture/turkish-culture-greetings#turkish-culture-greetings
General concepts
Etiquette
- https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/turkish-culture/turkish-culture-etiquette#turkish-culture-etiquette
Do’s & dont’s
Business culture
World Business Culture
Doing Business in Turkey
This article offers further insights into the country’s market strengths
Business Resources for Israel
International Trade Administration
Israel Commercial Guide
This is a market overview prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Market challenges
Market opportunities
Market strategies
Cultural Atlas
Israeli Culture
This is a collection of information regarding greetings, concepts, business etiquette, and more.
Greetings
General concepts
Etiquette
Do’s & dont’s
Business culture
Tourist Israel
Doing Business in Israel and Israeli Business Customs
This article delves further into standard Israeli business practices
Trade Laws By Country
UAE
Import tariffs
Trade barriers
Regulated imports
Customs regulations
List of “Free Zones” in the UAE
Saudi Arabia
Import tariffs
Trade barriers
Regulated imports
Customs regulations
Egypt
Import tariffs
Trade barriers
Regulated imports
Customs regulations
Turkey
Import tariffs
Trade barriers
Regulated imports
Customs regulations
Israel
Import tariffs
Trade barriers
Regulated imports
Customs regulations
These resources were gathered with the intention of helping business owners and entrepreneurs conduct transactions and manage their assets in the Middle East. While selecting resources it was our aim to include only the most credible sources of information.
As a result of this selection process, the majority of our resources are from government sites. With that said, there were a few exceptions to this criteria in the case of resources that offered substantial information that was otherwise not found on government websites.