Doing Business in Dubai

According to real estate consultancy firm, Knight Frank, the UAE is listed 21st out of 190 countries for “ease of doing business”.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of dos and don’ts when doing business in Dubai.

 

  1. Taboos

Dubai is a predominantly Muslim country and as such, all political and social matters are established by Islamic (Sharia) law.

While the UAE is tolerant of other religions, there are certain acts and deeds which would be viewed as taboo, or disrespectful, and should therefore, be avoided.

These include:

  • Discussing religion or criticising Islam
  • Dressing scantily in public
  • Entering a mosque if you aren’t Muslim
  • Public displays of affection are not permitted and can result in arrest

 

  1. Introductions

Dubai has a formal culture that has been established around Muslim beliefs and traditions.

The Emirates demand formality and respect, and believe that position should be recognised. You should always address people by their full titles.

It is polite to address the head of the department or company as ‘Sheikh’.

If conducting a business meeting with people for the first time, it is advisable to have business cards that are translated into Arabic on one side for ease of reading.

Your business card should be offered Arabic side up, with your right hand.

Punctuality is highly regarded in Dubai, so always be on time, even if the meeting is only in a restaurant or café as this is quite common.

 

  1. Business Etiquette

Sharia Law offers strict protocols of appropriate dress codes for women, however, men are also expected to dress conservatively, especially at business functions. Women should dress moderately, with their arms covered at all times, while men should wear a smart suit and tie.

Appointments should always be booked in advance, with confirmation made the day before. Make sure you are on time and well prepared in advance for discussions, including “small talk” before getting down to business.

Avoid conflict where possible and especially offering a definitive “no” as a response to any question. Criticism should avoided as ‘face’ is important to Emirates.

Meetings in Dubai, and the UAE in general, can often seem a little disorganised by Western standards and you’ll often find that other people may flit in and out of meetings. Subjects can change course dramatically when new individuals enter or leave meetings, and some will even receive, or make, phone calls in meetings.

 

  1. Business Relationships

Business relationships in Dubai aren’t just about business. In order to be successful you will have to work on your interpersonal skills and build positive relationships with counterparts and associates.

In business, trust is based upon building a solid foundation. Take the time to learn more about the people you will dealing with, their families, and interests as this will pay dividends in the long run.

In general, all business agreements should be views by a lawyer before signing contracts, documents or legal binding settlements.

If negotiations are not going as planned, it is vital you don’t try to apply undue pressure as this will likely not be received well. Expressing negative outcomes, or using the word ‘no’ during negotiations, should be avoided where possible as they offer little room for discussion.

 

  1. Work Organisation and Structure

The working week in Dubai runs from Sunday to Thursday. The weekend consists of Friday and Saturday, with Friday being equivalent to the Christian Sabbath.

Most government offices are open for business from 7.30am until 3pm, however, corporations and private business often work as late as 9pm.

Due to the patriarchal societal structure in many Middle Eastern countries, it is common for bosses to play a paternalistic role to their employees. They often have linked work and home lives which can lead to personal matters being discussed at meetings or between individuals. Due to this ‘fatherly’ role many managers may seem overly conservative.

Timescales and deadlines are another factor that can be considered at variances to Western culture. They are often less strictly adhered to in UAE in general, so a gentle but polite reminder is sometimes necessary.

Family owned and operated companies are popular in the Middle East and the head of the family is frequently deferred to for key decisions. Likewise, managers will often discuss issues with key stakeholders or family members before passing implementation onto younger/subordinate team members.

Always remember to avoid outright confrontation, especially with senior members, as this causes a ‘loss of face’ and is never well received.

Remember, learning a little of the language always helps negotiations and is a good ice-breaker, even if you don’t make quite the right pronunciations!

 

There is a whole wealth of information available online designed to give you valuable insights into different cultures, languages and traditions.

Do your homework before commencing new business dealings with individuals or companies from other cultures as it shows good intent, polite manners, and of course highlights your level of commitment.

 

 

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