Cultural tips for doing business in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Established in 1981, the alliance aims to achieve unity among its members based on their common objectives and cultural identities, which are rooted in Arab and Islamic cultures.

Following a contraction due to the pandemic, the GCC countries are back on the path to economic growth. Blessed with an abundance of natural resources, there’s been a push by the oil-based nations to diversify their economies in sectors such as renewables and hydrogen, information and communication technologies and logistics and services. With a new era of social and economic change, there’s a number of opportunities for Canadian trade and investments in the region.

From its homogeneous culture and informal meeting styles to the importance of building trust and strong relationships, read our insightful EDC guide to discover the top etiquette tips for doing business with countries in the GCC.