The Middle East today is among prime areas for innovation and investment. Governments and private sector investors are funding startups, technology and infrastructure to support growth of economies across the region. At the same time, it is already home to global mega-trends and we are witnessing the rise of the Middle East as a future global business and financial hub. A region of opportunity, it also presents a great deal of challenges for newcomers seeking to establish a regional presence, such as determining competition, developing a targeting plan, forecasts, marketing, compliance and requirements, and cultural idiosyncrasies.

In a Fireside Chat with Jarek Kaczyński, former Tehran Bureau Chief of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, we explore the intricate business landscape and innovation ecosystem of the MENA region, and discuss opportunities for entering the market.

Former Tehran Bureau Chief of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency S.A. in Iran, Jarek has a decade of experience working in GCC (United Arab Emirates & Kuwait), Iran, Afghanistan & Egypt. Warsaw-native, Jarek is fluent in Arabic, Farsi, Russian and English, and is an expert advisor to EU and Polish businesses wishing to tap into the GCC markets, specializing in Food Industry, IT/ICT, Medical Equipment and Pharmaceuticals, and beyond.