Search for business partners in the UAE and the Persian Gulf region

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Folk wisdom that best describes the intricacies of business in the Middle East, including the UAE. Where and how to find reliable partners in the Arab Emirates? And also answers to the most frequently asked questions about establishing business connections in the UAE in this article.

According to research, about 65-75% of technology startups in the UAE do not survive the first three years of operation (StartupCFO, 2025). For companies from Eurasia, the main reason for failure is the lack of proper local connections and misunderstanding of the regional business culture.

Despite the liberalization of rules for foreign business and the ability to open a company with 100% ownership by residents of other countries, the chances of establishing themselves in the local market and succeeding will be much higher if they secure the support of a local partner. Local connections mean fast access to the business community, accelerated licensing, more favorable terms for renting offices and warehouses. You can even save on rent and staff search if the partner already has all processes established.

But in a region where 90% of major deals are made through personal connections and trust, one wrong partnership can cost not only money but also reputation for years to come.

EurAsia Gulf is a business association specializing in connections between Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Gulf countries. We have what ordinary consultants don't:

✓ Verified community - all members have been verified;

✓ Cultural understanding - we speak the languages of both regions (literally and metaphorically);

✓ Access to decision-makers - our members are CEOs, business owners, and top managers;

✓ 12 industry committees - from healthcare to technology and innovation.

We serve as a bridge establishing a direct connection between two business cultures: European and Middle Eastern. Our methodology is a synthesis of data, expertise, and networking. We work as your outsourced development department with direct access to insider information on partners and the market. We can take on various functions: legal support, finance, counterparty search, management.

1. Analysis of your needs and alignment (up to 1 week). We start with your business: study the segment, product, define the portrait of the ideal partner (partner type, required licenses, jurisdiction). We provide a realistic forecast on timelines and results.
2. Search through open channels and our database (2-3 weeks): We use both open data (industry portals and databases) and our own database, as well as connections to reach key players you won't find via Google. The outcome of this stage is an extended list of candidates (long list) meeting the main criteria: financial stability, experience working with Eurasian companies, reputation, availability of necessary resources.
3. Multi-stage verification and interviews (2 weeks): We analyze candidate profiles through open sources and other members of our association. We conduct preliminary meetings with representatives of suitable companies, assessing not only formal company indicators but also their business culture, motivation, and market reputation. The result is a shortlist of 3-5 best potential partners.
4. Organizing meetings and negotiation support (1-2 weeks): We don't leave you alone with the partner. We help arrange informal contacts at industry forums, organize personal negotiations. We accompany meetings, helping to overcome cultural differences and reach mutually beneficial terms.
5. Support at the stage of concluding a partnership agreement. We connect lawyers and financiers from our association's committees to check contracts and align the agreement. We develop a pilot project to test the partnership, prepare a KPI evaluation system.
6. Post-deal support: We ensure "soft" integration and continue to curate the relationship so the partnership develops stably. You get: access to the EurasiaGulf platform for communication with partners, assistance in conflict resolution and mediation, the opportunity to find additional partners for project scaling.

We don't just provide a contact list, we deliver results - full support from contract conclusion to achieving specific metrics. You get a ready-made platform for business growth that already accounts for technical nuances, local market dynamics, mentality specifics, partner and counterparty motivation.

We are focused on long-term cooperation development. We coordinate each project even after the partnership agreement is signed.

How we manage to achieve the set goals:

1. We are part of both worlds

   Our team and association members have roots in both Eurasia and the Gulf countries. We understand the mentality of both sides and can be translators not only of language but also of business culture.

2. Verified community

   All our 2,000+ members have undergone verification and checks against financial, legal, reputational, and operational criteria. These are real companies: distributors, logistics and financial structures, manufacturing enterprises. Many already successfully operate at the intersection of Eurasian and UAE markets.

3. Access to decision-makers

   Our members are CEOs, founders, and top managers of companies. You meet those who really make decisions, not middle managers.

4. 12 industry committees.

   You get access to expertise in:

   • Technology and Innovation
   • Healthcare
   • Finance and Taxes
   • Trade and Industry
   • Professional Services
   • Startup Ecosystem
   • And other industries
5. We stay with you for the long term

   Membership in EurAsia Gulf is not a one-time service, but a long-term partnership. We help develop relationships with partners, resolve conflicts, and find new market opportunities.

   EurAsia Gulf is a leading business association uniting entrepreneurs and investors from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Gulf countries. We help create successful partnerships and develop business at the intersection of two dynamic regions.

   Join the community of leaders already building bridges between Eurasia and the UAE.