10 replies to this topic

Dear All:

As newbie, I don't know if this the right place to post this question, and if not please move it to the proper place.

¿Which are the life conditions for western people in Arab Countries, to work in the Industry?

¿Do you have any experience?

[gvdlans]

I don't see a problem by having this post in this forum. You may get better answers when you are more specific about the country. Irak, Saudi, Abu Dhabi and Oman are all Arabic countries at the Persian Gulf but I think there is a clear difference in working conditions...

You may also want to specify what type of work you are talking of and why you ask the question. Are you considering to apply for a job there?

[Zauberberg]

Somebody likes when it is hot and dry outside, hot enough to fry sausages on the sand. So, it will be very hard to discuss about weather conditions.

My engineering company has received a question from a customer to handle the turnkey construction of a medium size chemical plant in the persian gulf.

We are located in Spain, and my idea is to receive experience from other engineers about expatriation in that part of the World.

Thank you.

[gvdlans]

It seems like you cannot give us a hint about the exact country you are talking about, is that correct?

You're right. I can't.

The contract may be in IRAN Persian Gulf Coast. I am not sure a western company were allowed to work safely there.

That's the resason I ask for experiences, since I am very concerned about this.

Thank you for your post.

[gvdlans]

As far as I know European countries are allowed to work in Iran where US companies are not allowed to do so, but this may have changed. I assume your company is not going to do work that it is not allowed to do... Also, since Shell (a Dutch/UK based company) is involved in Persian LNG project (see http://www.shell-me..../firstword.htm) I am pretty sure that there is no problem.

I worked on a basic design/FEED project for Iran a few years ago (the company that I worked for is in The Netherlands), but have not been to Iran myself. Collegues went there a few times for meetings with the client. Similarly client representatives sometimes worked in our office here.

I have not heard of people on an assignment in Iran recently. In many cases, Iranian companies ask foreign companies to do basic design projects, but EPC is done by local companies.

By the way, Iran is not an Arabic country!

[Art Montemayor]

You asked for information about ARAB countries and then you reveal you are talking about Iran.

I personally don't see any harm on not knowing the difference, but most Iranians that I've known do: Iranians are definitely not arabic. They are a totally different ethnic group and just like anyone else, they are very sensitive about not being recognized as such and for who they are.

I believe you may be generalizing the word arabic because both ethnic groups are Muslims in religious beliefs. There are definite ethnic and cultural differences between Arabs, Berbers, Iranians, Turks, Kurds, etc. etc. - all of which are peoples that populate the Middle East. One of the major legitimate complaints from these Middle Easterners is that we, in the Western cultures, tend to generalize and don't seem to know the differences. I would certainly spend a lot of time learning all about Iran, its people, its language, culture, religions, and customs before even getting a visa to go there.

Thank you for sharing your experience with younger people.

Both of you are right. Iranian are Muslims but persian, not arab. I think this confusion may be the same they could have toward us: europeans are not equal. Italians, Spanish, French, Dutch, German, British...

In Spain the unique Muslims we know are Moroccians. Once I have spoken with a libanese engineer, and it is very different way of life.

On the other hand, I would be in the team with the responsibility of project control, not construction. Anyway, during start up we all will be there until full operation.

My company has experience working outside borders (Angola, and some projects in South America)

Once I know all the data, I will put them in the post. It seems to be a challenging experience both professional and personal.

Tank you all.

[latexman]

I worked in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from mid-1991 to end-1992. This is across the Gulf from Iran. My wife and daughter went with me. We enjoyed our stay there very much. However, the UAE is very different from Iran culturally. If your opportunity progresses and you are interested, you should take a business trip there for at least two weeks and get a feel for it. Talk to the locals. Walk around. Visit your Embassy. Are you single, married, and/or have a family? Give careful consideration how they would feel having to participate in certain cultural requirements.

Latexman:

The schedule is not prepared yet. Depending of how intensive the collaboration my customer want.

In my case, 41 married with two kids 5yrs (girl) and 10 months (boy). My wife has been living in Morocco for 9 yrs, but the personality, uses, and all characteristics of both the people and the Country are very different in Iran.

If we are not going to service the plant, only start up, it seems that I would travel from time to time as needed.

Thank you for your post.