Why you should do business in Qatar?

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3. Why you should do business in Qatar?

If you are looking at expanding your firm into Qatar or starting a new business or starting a new job then it would help to understand the work and business environment of the region and country before taking a leap.

First and foremost you will need to respect that the Arab nations are Muslim and they follow certain religious rules and regulations that are sacred to them personally and in a business environment. One should also remember that Muslim holidays are different and hence this will change the way you do business in Qatar or any other Arab nation.

Working for international firms works better because they provide great benefits and also have attractive pay packages. Government jobs in Qatar are also much sought after for their working hours but will need plenty of bureaucratic influence to come by. Small start-ups are not great places for a new person in the country to try for a job as the benefits are limited and these firms may not be very keen on hiring expats.

Qatar’s have a fair amount of knowledge on dealing with foreigners as business partners and with negotiations in English but their preferred language of business is Arabic. It is best if all business related documents are presented in Arabic. Their work culture is more relaxed but formal. They do not form personal relationships easily but give highest priority to family. Business lunches and dinners might happen at homes and at these times it is best to expect to each authentic cuisine and it is essential to familiarize oneself with the dining etiquette of the Qatari people.

Another factor that should be kept in mind about business etiquette in Qatar is that you cannot criticize a person openly. People will agree just to avoid embarrassment in public and this can be quiet frustrating for newcomers as they need to understand the Qatari psyche. Even if your opinion is valid you need to find a way to communicate it without embarrassing the other person in a public forum.

Attire is another factor that Qatari people pay attention to; it is usually formal for expats. The locals might wear business suits or traditional attire but expats are mostly expected to wear business suits. This stems from the fact that Qatari people treat business with a certain level of formality which does not exist in the West.

Qatar has very strict rules about interacting with women in the workplace. Women have been treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. Qatari women will not agree for a meeting alone even in a workplace without the presence of another colleague. One should also remember that you cannot offer to shake hands with a Qatari woman unless she offers first.

If you are able to adapt to the Qatari way of business then it is a conducive place to start a business, a new job or even work in a successful partnership.