How to Do Business Well in Abu Dhabi

The UAE is one of the world’s most thriving business hubs. Many investments happen in Abu Dhabi every day, providing business opportunities for people from all over the world. However, doing business in Abu Dhabi and the rest of the region can involve a few important customs and etiquettes. The cultural and religious norms in the countries have to be respected if you want to do business there. If you are planning to do business in Abu Dhabi, here are a few key things that you must know.

1. Your business relationships should always come first

A large part of doing business well in Abu Dhabi is about creating and maintaining good business relationships. You have to know that your clients in Abu Dhabi are going to be high maintenance, right from the start. It won’t be sufficient for you to hire a local and expect them to engage with clients. They are going to want to see you in person and spend time engaging with you. The business hotels in Abu Dhabi provide ample locations for you to host your potential clients. Make use of this and have as much face time with such clients, whenever you visit the country.

2. Learn the language

There is no better way to show respect and appreciation for people than to learn their language and culture. While Arabic is a tough language to learn if you are completely new to it, you can acquire at least basic skills in the language. This is especially important if your dealings are not limited to people in the private sector. While most private-sector officials are well-versed in English, this is not the case for the public sector. So being able to converse in the local language will give you a leg-up during business dealings.

3. Be patient and continue to impress

You can’t expect business deals to materialise fast in Abu Dhabi. Things usually take more time than they would in other parts of the world. So, patience is a virtue that you have to uphold if you are trying to close deals in Abu Dhabi. While you wait patiently, it is also important to continue to impress your potential clients. You can treat them to a luxurious meal at Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort or take them to enjoy a luxurious activity. This will influence their decision-making process on whether to go into business with you. Impressing your potential clients is also important in terms of your choices in business venues and board rooms. Take some extra effort to get the best possible venues and locations for the meetings that you have with them.

4. Don’t be afraid to bargain

While you want to impress them, it is also important that you bargain to get the best deals. Bargaining is in the business culture in Abu Dhabi, so you shouldn’t feel bad doing it. This way, you can make sure that you show people that you are smart and business-minded and walk away with a good deal for your company.

5. Other cultural norms

One of the key cultural norms is to do with how you dress. Since Abu Dhabi is an Islamic country, you must dress conservatively. This can help you get better acceptance among your colleagues. Most business meetings will either start or finish with Arabic coffee. This can be quite strong or bitter for non-coffee lovers. However, it is always polite to give it a try, unless you have a medical condition that prohibits you from consuming caffeine. Be punctual. This is also a very important aspect of the culture that you must uphold.