Qatar: a brief introduction

Qatar may be just one hundred miles from point to point, but it is also one of the richest countries in the world. It’s currently ranked third in the world in terms of GDP, but if you consider that about 80% of the country are expatriates, most of whom do not receive anything like a fair share of the economic pie, the country is far richer.

With huge gas reserves, enormous and growing assets abroad, and attempts to diversify its economy to reduce its reliance on gas and oil, it is also one of the fastest growing countries in the world. This guide aims to offer a brief introduction to doing business in Qatar, with links to more detailed information.

A terrorist country?

Note that there has been some criticism of Rudy Guiliani for doing business with Qatar. However, Qatar is in fact one of the more moderate countries in the Gulf. Since 2001 they have been one of the leaders in anti-terrorist initiatives, and have provided the US with significant intelligence. They are also home to a huge US military base, and one of the US's firmest allies.

Business and Relationships

The Personal Touch

Qataris – and many of the other Arabs you will meet here – hate getting straight down to business. Above all, forget any idea of a cold professional business attitude - you need to be warm and friendly, and concentrate on building ip a personal realtionship. Ask after family, and health, and always be ready tbe sympathetic and ready to listen. Sometimes it can be hard to spend time talking about your client's brother's illness when you have a looming deadline, but the personal care and attention you give will be well paid back in a business relationship.

Time

Time has a different meaning here, and perhaps a lower value. As a result, don't expect to be able to wrap up a deal on the first visit or meeting - this is viewed just as an intorduction. Nor should you expect people to be punctual, and meetings may well be cancelled or delayed.

Doing Business with Women

You should be prepared to do business with women whose face you may not be able to see. Men should not offer to shake hands with a woman, although if she offers her hand it is fine to accept. You may find that many women are more comfortable doing business with a foreign man than they are doing business with a Qatari man.

It may be a good idea to avoid being alone with a woman in a room, although for some women this is not a problem. If in doubt, leave the door open. Men should never ask Qatari men the names of their wives or other adult females in their family. It is normal here to say Keif A Leila, or how’s your family, rather than to ask directly about a man's wife.

Doing Business as a Women

What sexism there is here is fairly subtle. In fact, when I asked the director of a media company here if she had experienced any sexism, she answered that she had only experienced it from expatriates. Qatari men are generally very polite when doing business with women - often more so than men in Western countries. See Working Women in Qatar.

Topics to avoid

Avoid talking about religion and politics, unless your views are aligned with those of the typical Arab. If the subject is brought up, avoiding bringing opposing opinions into the conversation.

Family

Family is generally considered more important than business. Expect meetings to be interrupted by calls to mobile phone, and then cancelled when your client goes dashing off at a minute's notice.

Promises and Contracts

People here often distrust contracts, and prefer to rely on verbal agreements. Be careful about making throw-away promises as they will be taken at face value. If your client considers that you have breached your promise, they may consider an agreement void.

Body language

Avoid offering anything with your left hand, and try to remember to eat with your right hand. Avoid pointing the sole of your feet towards people.

Arabic

There is no need to speak any Arabic in Qatar. However, it helps if you know the following words:

Khalas - finished
Yani - I mean...
Inshau’ Allahh - God Willing
Alhumdullelah Thanks be to God
Assa-lum-alaikum - standard greeting lit meaning "peace be with you brother”, to which you should reply Wa-alaikum-salam.

Any effort to speak even a few words of Arabic is greatly appreciated. See a Beginners Guide to Arabic for more basic words and phrases.

Learn more:

Qatar Cultural Pointers Advice on how to behave - and how to avoid trouble - in Qatar.
Consider Qatar - American Government snapshot of opportunities in Qatar
Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Qatar Guide Guide to Qatar and Doha
Qatar Business Sites Directory of Qatar business sites