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MIDDLE EASTCITY GUIDE

THE MARKET IN THE MIDDLE EAST HAS IN RECENT YEARS BEEN CHARACTERISED BY THE EXPANSION OF MANY LEADING INTERNATIONAL FIRMS, FUELLED BY RAPIDLY GROWING ECONOMIES IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, OMAN, QATAR AND BAHRAIN. WHILE THE MOST RAPID GROWTH IN LAW FIRM NUMBERS HAS OCCURRED IN DUBAI, MANY FIRMS ARE FOCUSING THEIR ATTENTION ON EQUALLING THIS IN ABU DHABI, MUSCAT AND DOHA. THESE LAW FIRMS WHILST DEVELOPING A PRESENCE IN THE REGION HAVE ESTABLISHED SUSTAINABLE EXPANSION STRATEGIES, AND ARE CONSISTENTLY LOOKING FOR HIGH-CALIBRE LAWYERS TO INTEGRATE INTO THEIR OUTSTANDING TEAMS.

A: Suite 2.19. 100 Collins Street, Alexandria, 2015 T: +61 2 9266 2903 E: [email protected] W: ea-int.com

CITY GUIDE: THE MIDDLE EAST

A basic guide to salaries with leading UK and US firms in the Middle East is as follows:

SALARIES AND TAXES

Salaries tend to be similar throughout the Middle East with current trends indicating that the leading law firms are offering gross salaries higher than those on offer in the UK or the US. In recent years almost all of the leading international firms have moved to all salary or cash packages and away from housing and car allowance components to allow lawyers more flexibility to deal with their disposable income as and how they see fit. The leading firms also operate under generous bonus schemes, typically discretionary however very similar to those in the UK. Furthermore with no personal income tax, the financial incentives are great.


US$160,000

US$185,000

US$210,000

US$230,000

US$250,000

US$170,000 2PQE

3PQE

1PQE

4PQE

5PQE

6PQE

US$275,000 7PQE

Driven historically by the region’s oil wealth, each city has instigated long-term growth plans, such as “Abu Dhabi Vision 2030”, which will see the region grow into an international finance and tourist hub. These plans are seeing huge investment in infrastructure and major projects, and subsequently, the leading international firms have focused on building their practices in Projects and Infrastructure, Corporate M & A, Finance and Capital Markets. In addition, practices like Real Estate, IP/IT, Telecommunications and Dispute Resolution are also starting to develop considerably in the region, resulting in a growing demand for lawyers in these areas.

COST OF LIVING


The leading international and local firms will all provide sponsorship for lawyers coming from both the Australian and New Zealand markets. Depending on the jurisdiction this will either occur prior to departure or soon after arrival. Unlike in the UK and Europe it tends to be a slightly more flexible, albeit bureaucratic system.

VISAS AND WORK PERMITS

It is well documented that the entire Middle East has seen high rates of inflation, which has made the overall cost of living in the region comparable to many of the European countries. However, as there is no income tax, most expats are far better off financially than in their home countries. It is also fair to say that working in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are no longer “hardship” postings which they may have been even a few years ago, and as such rather than save large amounts of money most expats tend to now live a lifestyle far superior to that at home. The lifestyle benefits are now of real value when considering a move to the region. A one bedroom apartment in the city centre of Dubai will cost approximately AED 7,670 per month, whilst in Abu Dhabi, it will cost slightly less at AED 6,870 per month. As a rough guide to general living costs, you could expect to incur the following costs in the Middle East:

$2.200.5L Beer

$3.55Bread loaf

$1.091L Milk

$3.20/kg

Potatoes$4.24

Cappucino$3.68

Dozen Eggs

Note: All amounts in US dollars.

LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE


ABU DHABIThe Capital of the UAE and by far the richest Emirate, Abu Dhabi has remarkable plans to rival Dubai as the Middle East’s cultural and corporate heart. Given its standing as the centre of UAE governance, it is no surprise that unlike Dubai, which lies just one hour to the east, Abu Dhabi is taking a seemingly more structured and considered approach to growth with a view to ensuring the city both expands rapidly but also retains its local heritage.

A city built on, and surrounded by islands, Abu Dhabi is unique in its geography and blessed with accessible beaches. The majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are expatriate workers from all over the globe. The city’s tremendous growth in the last decade continues to lure more and more foreigners. With most of the growth involving expansion onto many of the natural and manmade islands adjacent to Abu Dhabi it is a city that has a real focus on using its natural endowments to its advantage

The leading international law firms have all responded to an explosion of work in Abu Dhabi with many now having established a presence in the city. As a place to live Abu Dhabi provides a vibrant lifestyle with endless opportunities for shopping and entertainment, though generally with a pace slightly more relaxed than that of Dubai.

As a city with large streets and boulevards it generally gives the impression of being well organised and with the new public transport systems coming on line in the next few years it should be able to handle future growth.

For the average expatriate Abu Dhabi has less of a night life scene than Dubai, however with Dubai so close most singles tend to simply make the trip across on weekends. It is fair to say that many describe Abu Dhabi as a more family friendly destination, with its extremely safe environment where crime and theft are rarities.

Abu Dhabi’s culture is more firmly rooted in Arabia’s Islamic traditions than Dubai, and whilst non-Muslims are not expected to comply with all the customs, it’s essential that expats become familiar with local laws and learn to respect them. However, the city is still an excellent choice for singles of both sexes and most firms are only too pleased to discuss how much their single lawyers enjoy the city.

DUBAI

In recent times Dubai has well and truly outshone its Middle Eastern rivals and is a remarkable story of growth. Although not as blessed with the same oil wealth as Abu Dhabi, the Royal family in Dubai have been extremely far-sighted in their plans to make the city both one of the most important financial centres as well as one of the most sought after tourist destinations on earth. Revenue from petroleum and natural gas now make up just a small amount of the revenue for Dubai, with the vast majority coming in trade, manufacturing, and financial services.

Dubai has quickly developed a reputation as a truly international city with an increasingly vibrant entertainment and cultural scene. Dubai’s culture is still based in Islam, however modern influences have allowed the city to progress beyond the religious conservatism that often characterises the region. Furthermore, with the rapid ongoing growth in the city it is still fair to describe it aesthetically as a large construction site in the middle of the desert however over the course of the next decade as most of these projects come on line this will become less apparent.


MUSCATAs the capital and largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, Muscat is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East and is blessed with a stark mountainous backdrop that also makes it one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the region. Given its geography Muscat has always been a trading hub in the region and as a result of Oman’s plentiful oil and gas resources this remains to be the case today. Although the legal community is relatively small compared to its neighbours, this guarantees those working at the leading firms the very best quality local work. Muscat is a much quieter and relaxed environment than the major cities in the bordering UAE which is seen by many as a distinctive positive for both couples and families who want high quality work with work life balance.

DOHA

The capital of Oil and Gas rich Qatar, Doha is an emerging metropolis. Fast becoming one of the wealthiest states in the region, Doha is starting to see increased interest from international law firms. Although a handful of firms have had a presence in Doha for some time this number is growing. Much like its neighbouring states the Qatari government is actively diversifying the country’s reliance on its oil and gas reserves. Much of this is being facilitated by large scale business and trade developments and the Qatari are also active in developing a number of mega projects. More conservative than Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Doha offers a quieter lifestyle than its neighbours in the region and in a similar way to Muscat will likely appeal more to those with young families or those who are more focused on immersion into a more traditional Middle Eastern culture. The cost of living is very similar to Dubai and many expats choose to live in compounds with full facilities.


FURTHER LINKS AND USEFUL INFORMTATION

expatarrivals.com expatwoman.com

gulfnews.com/homecbpr.me/interact/

newsroom/newsroom/

INTERPRETING

MIDDLE EASTHabits & Practices

1 MORE SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

2 TIPPING

3 BEST SHOPPING 4 BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

US Rules apply: tip 10-15% when eating out, but normally there will be a 10% service

charge anyway. Tip the concierge $30 every time you have a major request.


Business culture and etiquette in the Middle East is vastly different to Western countries. Middle Eastern cultures place importance on personal relationships and it is essential to take the time to build trust with those who you are doing business with, as they will often treat a handshake agreement with someone they trust to be as binding as a contract. Where possible, business should be conducted in face-to-face meetings and, when meeting with someone, you should take the time to ask questions about their family – though it is best to avoid asking questions specifically about any female family members.

Westerners will find that the pace of business in the Middle East is much more relaxed; delays are common, whilst punctuality is not. Meetings often do not have an agenda and there are likely to be many interruptions. Do not be offended if the person you are talking to is checking their smartphone in front of you as this is not considered a sign of disrespect in the Middle East. Avoid displaying the soles of your shoes when sitting and using the ‘thumbs up’ sign or pointing during meetings, as these are all considered offensive.

It is quite common to stand when someone older than you enters the room. When greeting a group of people, you should greet the oldest person first and, when shaking hands, the most senior person should withdraw their hand first. Many Arab businesswomen are quite conservative and will not shake hands with men, so it is best wait for them to extend their hand first. Likewise, if a Western businesswoman is meeting an Arab man, she should wait to see if he extends his hand.

In some regions of the Middle East, businesswomen are required to cover their arms to their elbows and legs to their ankles – however, due to the large expat community in the UAE, women in this region can expect to dress largely the same as they would in the Western business world.

When attending a business lunch, you can typically expect the person who did the inviting to pay the bill. However, if the bill is to be split, one person should pay for it and then the others should reimburse them later in private. It can be considered rude to leave the table before coffee is served and you should never blow your nose at the table – though it is quite acceptable to pick the food out from between your teeth.

If you are invited to dinner at someone’s house, you should not assume that the invite extends to your spouse unless explicitly stated. It is polite to be punctual and take a small gift, such as flowers, fruit or pastries. Refrain from taking a seat or helping yourself to food until requested by your host and do not discuss business unless your host does so first. When offered food, it is polite to accept as much food as possible and to leave some on the plate at the end of the meal as a sign that they have provided enough food.

DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT: BUSINESS ETIQUETTE IN THE MIDDLE EAST


BRUNCH IN DUBAI

• Bubbalicious Brunch at The Westin (Al Sufouh Rd, Dubai)

FOR FOODIES

Despite Friday being Islam’s holiest day, banquet-style Friday brunches with free-flowing alcohol are an established part of expat tradition in Dubai. Friday brunch starts around lunchtime and continues on until the evening, and is as much about drinking as it is about eating. Think enormous buffet, hours of drinks and DJs set against one of the many diverse backdrops Dubai has to offer. While there is certainly a big tourist element to Friday brunch these days, it is still a great day out with friends. For those with kids many of the hotels and restaurants also do family friendly brunches with entertainment and even entire buffet sections for the little ones.

• Bidi Bondi (Clubhouse Al Manhal, Shoreline Apartments, Palm Jumeirah)

FOR HOMESICK AUSSIES

• Double decker (Al Safa St, Dubai)

FOR HOMESICK BRITS

image credit: timeoutdubai.com



• Splendido (The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai)• Traiteur (The Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek Club St,

Dubai)

FOR A CLASSY BRUNCH

• Beachcombers (Jumeirah Beach Hotel)• Ibn Battuta Gate (Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai)

• Mazina (Dubai Marina, Dubai)

FOR FAMILIES

• Warehouse (Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Center, Airport Road, Garhoud)• Left Bank (Souk Al Bahar Bridge, Dubai)

FOR DEBAUCHERY



• C.taste (Road 329, Al Barsha 1)

FOR THE BUDGET CONSCIOUS

image credit: ritzcarlton.com


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IDDE EST...cbpr.me/interact/ newsroom/newsroom/ INTERPRETING MIDDLE EAST Habits & Practices 1 MORE SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES 2 TIPPING 3 BEST SHOPPING 4 BUSINESS ETIQUETTE US Rules apply: