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Arabian Business and Cultural Guide
A 200+ pages guide for visitors, exporters, and international traders to understand the culture, business culture, and how to do business with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain,
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"I lived and went
to school in the Arab world and found your guidance to be right on target.
I had a great time, but unfortunately did not have the advantage of your
guide to help me through the rough spots." Bob Kitrinos-USA.
Visit Expanded Arab Business Culture
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Author
Mohammad Al-Sabt ©1995-2011
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Chapter 1
Rules Of Thumb
Information sources
Priority List
Business is not business
Communication network
International trade market
Chapter 2
Communication Etiquette
Written Communication
Choice of words
Use of Arabic words
Verbal Communication
Subjects to avoid
Private issues
Criticism
Greeting etiquette
Invitations
When to start business discussions?
The use of Arabic words and sentences
Non-Verbal Communication
Greeting etiquette
The right hand rule
Position of body
Non-verbal signs of respect
Touching as a sign of friendship
Acknowledgment
Chapter 3
Getting Down To Business
Before The Meeting
Work hours
Ramadan
Slow business times
Setting up appointments
Meeting length and punctuality
Dress code
The Meeting
When to start and when to end the meeting
Take notes
Interruptions
Observe who is meeting with you
Pressure sales tactics
Price negotiations
Rejections
After The Meeting
Slow business beginnings
Arabian companies weaknesses
Joint efforts
Agreements
Handling quote requests
Handling Letters Of Credit
Advertising & Marketing
How to Win Your Arab Clients' Business
Chapter 7
Al-Bader Trading
Vision International
Al-Shafei Establishment
Abana Enterprises
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- Chapter 4
- Cultural Customs & Social Structure
- Conservative behavior
- Privacy
- What is a Dewaniah?
- When invited to a Dewaniah
- Greeting women
- Admiring objects and gift giving
- Pampering guests
- Invitation to Join & Share
- "Save Face" concept
- Men's clothing
- Women's clothing
- Family structure
- Social duties
Chapter 5
- Cultural Customs & Social Structure
- What to Look For
- Who should represent your business?
- Be aware
- How to Locate Business Partners
- Foreign students
- Obtaining leads lists & using exporters
- Visiting the foreign market
- On-line networks
- Advertising in US magazines
- Advertising in Arabian newspapers & magazines
- US Department Of Commerce- Desk Officers
- National Trade Data Bank
- The Export Yellow Pages
- Foreign Chambers Of Commerce
- International trade associations
- Other associations
- Arabian trade shows & exhibits
- US trade shows & exhibits
- Business directories
Chapter 6
- Choosing Your International Staff
- Why is it important?
- Basic information
- Seizing opportunities
- Basic communication skills
- Successful international businesses
Chapter 8
- Windows to Understanding the People & Their Culture
- How to Access the National Trade Data Bank
- Arab Embassies in the USA
- Publishers of Business Directories
- US International Trade Associations
- US Embassies in the Arab Countries
- Arab Chambers of Commerce in Arab Countries
- National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce in the US
- Arab Online Information Sources
- Online Trade Leads Sources
- Arabian Banks in the USA
- International Trade Administration
- International Trade Magazines
- Arabian Newspapers
- Arabian Exhibits & Trade Shows Organizers
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Some facts about the Arab market:
- Total population of the Arab countries is around
242 million people. Arabian countries are:
Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia,
United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
- Population of Saudi Arabia is 16 million people;
60% are under 18 years old, which means that
products geared toward younger generations will have
a good market. Products related to establishing new
homes, such as furniture, electronics, and kitchen
wares will also have a good market, since most
Arabs get married at young ages.
- United Arab Emirates has a population of 2 million
people. Kuwait has a population of 2 million people.
Egypt has a population of 59 million and it is
estimated it will reach 64 million people in the next 6
years.
- The annual food market volume for all members of
the Gulf Cooperation council (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain) is
$8 billion; Saudi Arabia's share is 60% of this amount.
- Top exporters of food products to the Saudi market
listed according to their export volume are USA,
Holland, Denmark, Turkey, and Australia.
- Total annual retail sales in Kuwait are over $1 billion.
The total annual sales of all co-operative supermarkets
in Kuwait are over $860 million.
- Market volume for electronics and electrical goods in
Saudi Arabia is estimated at $400 million. Saudi
Arabia purchases 400,000 television sets each year.
- In 1993, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates set
the world record in purchasing gold jewelry. The sales
volume in these two countries reached $11.3 billion a
year. 24, 22, and 21 karat gold jewelry is preferred.
- Members of the Gulf Cooperation council
(Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar,
Oman, and Bahrain) imported $16 billion of manufacturing
and shipping equipment in 1993.
- More than 70% of Saudi Arabia's needs are fulfilled
through imports.
- Qatar total imports came to $1.9 billion.
Imports from Europe totaled $591 million ( principally
from Britain, Germany and Italy). Imports from Asian
countries came to $586 million, with more than 50%
of that from Japan.
- Total spending on advertising in the Gulf Cooperation
Council countries increased from $606 million to $710 million in 1994.
Advertising market volume is increasing by more than 15% annually.
Newspapers have the biggest share of the advertising market.
- In an American study, Bahrain was in third place
world- wide in its ability to attract foreign
investments and world money flow. Bahrain was able
to attract $86 billion in foreign investments through its
banking systems.
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