New Markets in the Middle East?

[ashley]

In the next decade do you think the market for large sales forces in the middle east will become viable or is their a cultural difference over there. for example would door to door sales be acceptable.

Does anyone know anything out Islamic/Middle Eastern commerical values and if business the middle east would be profitable for a Western company.

[cloudwatcher]

:( : Me thinks you are playing with fire here, ofcourse salespeople exist here as in anywhere in the world and they practice direct selling through markets and other mediums, and whilst they are not the best listeners their powers of persuasion can be extraordinary.

[ashley]

true, but there must be opportunity to release new products and sercvices we have in the west.

the market is not so compeitive or at saturation point.

[cloudwatcher]

It depends which countries you are referring to . some of the Middle Eastern markets are extremely sophisticated and I would suggest ahead of the game.
Others are emerging markets but with extremely unstable economies, so where do you start? :unsure:

[ashley]

Obviously there is some hostility over there internally and towards westerners. and some markets. but also many products have not even reached that market. in particular communications and luxury goods.

[cloudwatcher]

Which countries are you referring to Ashley, I think you will be surprised about just what they have got. Just look at Saudi, Dubai and Kuwait even Egypt, Jordan ,Syria the list goes on. If however you are referring to Iraq or Iran then yes there will be opportunties but also many pitfalls. Maybe you should try Lybia.

[ashley]

All these markets have good and bad points. It will need looking into further.