Warm Welcome

Abu Dhabi delivers a diverse business climate for entertaining clients.

- By Teresa Bitler. Photography by Patrik Kosmider y Teresa Bitler

The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi sits southwest of Dubai on the coast of the Persian Gulf. Its economic history continues to impact its business sector today. Originally, pearls harvested from the Gulf attracted traders from around the world to the area, but the local economy shifted to oil when developers discovered huge reserves offshore in 1958. Because Great Britain had a long-standing, exclusive trade deal with the local sheiks, it helped bring the oil to market four years later.

Although Great Britain left when the U.A.E. formed in 1971, its influence remains in Abu Dhabi, making it easy for Americans and Europeans to navigate. Most people speak English, and most signs are written or translated into English. Additionally, because it was a trade city, Abu Dhabi has always welcomed people of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds. In fact, the mostly Muslim city’s first synagogue is scheduled for completion in 2022 as part of a multifaith complex.

That doesn’t mean the city takes a casual approach to Islam, the nation’s official religion. The call to prayer sounds five times a day, and the work week begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday, with Friday serving as the weekly holy day and Saturday as a day of rest. Islam also influences attire and the way Emiratis conduct business.