The Middle East Sunday Pages

The UAE just invited 10 million expats to pledge their loyalty. What ‘Pledge and Commitment’ tells Western business about Gulf coexistence

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.

Beyond the Boardroom: Why the GCC is Doubling Down on Executive Coaching and Mentoring

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 Keep Losing Their Gulf Clients — And Blaming Everyone But Themselves

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.

Doha: The Most Underestimated Business Capital in the Gulf

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.