November Special Edition 2021

20 Have you noticed any striking cultural challenges in doing business? It’s interesting to think about. I think key to Emirati culture is relationship building, which is also very key to the way Israelis do business. I think there was, almost understandably, an eagerness in Israel to run over and do business. It is not about developing quick and fast ties there but investing the time and effort. You established the Gulf-Israel Women's Forum as a division of the UIBC. How has this gone? Justine Zwerling and I got together to develop this initiative. Justine heads the Primary Markets, Israel at the London Stock Exchange and has also founded the Jewish Women's Business Network as part of the LSEG's Women's Inspired Network (WIN), so was hugely experienced in this area. The goal was to unite women from the Middle East in sisterhood, culture, friendship and business. We are planning a business trip in a few months bringing women from Israel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and the Forum is attracting a lot of interest with women from Egypt and Jordan on board, as we as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia too. Seeing how this is materializing feels incredible! Women lawyers and GCs can contact us directly at women@ uaeisraelbusiness.com to get involved in this fast-growing initiative. Fleur, thank you so much for taking the time. Thank you. You can find out more about joining the UAE-Israel Business Council at this link .