Corina Goetz – Star Cat

What the UAE Expat Pledge Tells Western Business About Gulf Loyalty and Trust

On 20 May 2026 the UAE launched 'Pledge and Commitment' — a national initiative inviting citizens and residents to express loyalty to the country. What this reveals about Gulf coexistence and the cost of misreading it.

The UK Just Signed a $5bn Gulf Trade Deal. Here’s the Part the Headline Will Not Tell You

The UK just signed a $5bn Gulf Trade Deal. Here's the part the headline will not tell you. The costs between the headline and what to do about it.

How Saudia Airlines Turned 1.5kg of Baggage Into the Smartest Marketing Campaign of 2026

A full breakdown of why 'Let It Fly' works, what most Western brands keep getting wrong about Saudi marketing, and three things any Western brand could take from this campaign before their next Riyadh meeting

Why Luxury Brands Lose Gulf Clients — And How to Stop It

Gulf HNW clients do not respond to generic outreach. They respond to relationships. A real Gulf client strategy starts with your data and your team. It builds intelligence in-house and we can help.

Doing Business in Doha: What Western Executives Need to Know About Qatar

If you are serious about Gulf markets, Doha deserves a place at the top of your list. Not because it is the loudest city in the region. Because it is one of the smartest.

AlUla: Why This Place Matters More to Saudi Arabia’s Future Than You Think

AlUla is not a resort. It is not a side project. It is not another flashy giga-project headline that disappears when oil prices shift. AlUla is a deliberate, long-term, multi-billion-dollar statement about what Saudi Arabia intends to become — and if you are doing business in the Kingdom right now, or planning to, you need to understand what is happening there and why it matters to you.

Why Oman Is Quietly Open for Business While Everyone Else Is Watching the War

While Western professionals pause Gulf strategies over regional conflict, Oman is quietly activating new trade corridors, advancing infrastructure projects, and positioning itself as the region's most stable business hub. Here's what you need to know.

The Business Calendar of the Gulf: Every Key Date Western Professionals Should Know

Gulf Business Calendar 2026: Key Dates Every Western Professional Must Know Meta Description: Ramadan, Eid, national holidays, trade show season — the Gulf business calendar is nothing like yours. Here's every date that will make or break your deals in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

The 10 Words Western Professionals Use That Land Badly in the Gulf

Discover the 10 everyday words and phrases Western professionals use that cause confusion, offence, and lost deals in Gulf business culture — and what to say instead.

How to Navigate Eid Without Looking Like You Just Remembered It Exists

Scrambling to figure out Eid etiquette before you embarrass yourself in the Gulf? Here's exactly what to say, do, and avoid — so you look like someone who actually belongs here.