In Saudi Arabia, building a strong relationship before entering into negotiations is crucial since Saudis value interpersonal connections. Business discussions usually start after a few introductory meetings. It is important to pay attention to couched expressions that might indicate a "no" since Saudis prefer not to give negative answers. It is also common for decisions to be overturned. While it is acceptable to ask about the counterpart's family, inquiring directly about their spouse is not appropriate.
Recently, Saudi Arabia has implemented the Saudization policy to increase employment opportunities for Saudi citizens in the private sector. This policy has made it challenging to sponsor new employment permits for foreign workers. Expats can still be sponsored, but at a high cost. It is best to hire Saudi nationals who already have Iqamas or resident work permits. Our team can transfer these individuals to our local partner and assign them to work for our clients while handling all issues related to employment contracts, work visa sponsorship, and compliance with local HR regulations.