The Middle East Sunday Pages

Sphere Abu Dhabi: What the UAE’s $1.7 Billion Bet Reveals About the Next Decade of Gulf Strategy

Sphere Abu Dhabi will be the first Sphere venue outside the US — $1.7 billion, 20,000 capacity, Yas Island, 2029. What the announcement reveals about UAE strategy.

Star-Cat Gulf cultural intelligence — Blog Pictures 98

Oman’s Dual-Treaty Position: A Differentiated Case for Specific Trade and Manufacturing Strategies

Oman holds preferential trade arrangements with both the United States and India — and what that actually means for Western companies.

Star-Cat Gulf cultural intelligence — Blog Pictures 97

Why Western Business Strategies Fail in Saudi Arabia (And What to Do Instead)

Many leaders arrive in Riyadh backed by formidable global expertise and proven success in markets like New York or Singapore. However, the Riyadh market does not respond to "off-the-shelf" models.

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.

Executive Coaching and Mentoring in the GCC: What Western Leaders Need to Know

17 May 2026
Peter Grundy, Paul O'Shea and Rizane Abbas
The Middle East Sunday Pages
1 Comment

Western executives entering the GCC must look beyond headline megaprojects and recognize the region’s growing investment in coaching and mentoring as a core driver of business success. Those who develop their own cultural intelligence while actively mentoring local talent will be best positioned to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.

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

The Resilience Shift: Nearly Twenty Years in the Middle East and What It Taught Me About Connection, Culture and Becoming

People often talk about the Middle East as if it is one thing. One place. One story. It is not. It is many countries, many cultures, many languages and many ways of being. Gulf cities that feel like the future. Old neighbourhoods where time slows down. Desert that makes you quiet inside. Mountains that make you feel small in the best possible way. Sea that makes you want to stay an extra day.

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.