West Yorkshire Business Boost

Masterclass: Doing Business with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar

7 January 2025

Delivered by West Yorkshire Business Boost

 

Overview

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, consisting of six member countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses looking to expand. With its growing economy, strategic location, and investment-friendly environment, the region has become an attractive destination for international businesses. However, entering the GCC market requires a deep understanding of the local landscape, cultural nuances, and market dynamics. 

Although the GCC countries are often associated with oil and gas industries, they have been working on diversifying their economies in recent years. For instance, the UAE has made significant strides in sectors such as tourism, finance, logistics, and technology. Therefore, businesses should identify the sectors with the most potential for growth in each country and tailor their expansion strategy accordingly.

This masterclass will explore key insights to help you successfully enter and expand your business in three of these vibrant fastest-growing markets - the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Aim of the Masterclass

To give delegates insight into:

Morning session

  • Markets overview and opportunities
  • Legal and regulatory environment for businesses
  • Business culture and etiquette
  • Cost of doing business
  • Employment, governmental, immigration, legal, marketing, regulatory and taxation landscapes
  • Local partnerships
  • Pitfalls which await the unwary and the unprepared

Afternoon session

  • How to prepare and research the requirements for doing business with the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia
  • The import requirements for products
  • How to ensure products are competitive
  • The risk, cost and obligations for a shipment
  • What information is required for customs procedures

This masterclass is suitable for company managing directors, directors, senior managers, sales managers and marketing managers.

Masterclass Objectives

At the end of the session delegates will be able to:

Commit to launching, or expanding, business in the GCC region in an appropriate way, with confidence; they will understand some essential market requirements, and know how to access practical sources and helpful support.

Masterclass Content

Morning session

  • Current business environment in these GCC markets and what to expect in the short and medium-term
  • Opportunities around export and investment
  • Emerging sectors in the GCC region and immediate opportunities
  • Developing appropriate, focused market-entry strategies
  • Understanding the costs of doing business 
  • Establishing a physical presence 
  • Selecting agents, distribution partners, or hiring locally
  • Managing risk and avoidable pitfalls

Afternoon session

  • The Gulf Cooperation Council and the impact on trade in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia
  • Intellectual Property
  • Doing business in the UAE – country specifics
  • Doing business in Saudi Arabia – country specifics
  • Doing business in Qatar – country specifics
  • Standard documents and shipping documents
  • Selling through distributors and agents
  • Agreements with distributors and agents 
  • Certificates of Origin
  • Customs tariff codes
  • Customs valuation methods
  • Using Incoterms® for export shipments
  • Sources of information

Presenters will include market-specialist partners, both UK-based and in-market, covering areas including digital and in-person marketing/sales; company formation and tax; immigration; product compliance and regulatory environment; management and strategy.

Benefits

Delegates will gain a clear view of the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia – digital, social and regulatory. They will be better placed to develop a robust strategy for growth and brand development, as well as being more prepared to avoid pitfalls, and estimate costs and incomes.

Delegates will understand what their own responsibilities are, so that they can plan and implement processes to ensure a smooth and efficient supply chain, helping generate increased sales, and inform future growth strategies.

 

*West Yorkshire Business Boost is delivered by Exemplas & key partners, funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

 

Date: 7 January 2024

Time: from 9:30am to 4:30pm

Venue: Online via Zoom

This event is part of a programme, only available to West Yorkshire SMEs, funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

To register to the West Yorkshire Business Boost Programme and book your place, CLICK HERE. 

 

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