Marketing in the Middle East with Sam Hussein from BLS Media – Episode 33

Sam Hussein from BLS Media

Mona, Mark and Sam talk about BLS Media’s upcoming publication and how it will greatly impact not just the Middle East EB-5 market but the world as well.
Listen to “Marketing in the Middle East with Sam Hussein from BLS Media” on Spreaker.

In the previous podcasts, Mark and Mona have talked a lot about marketing from China and Latin America. In today’s show, Sam Hussein of BLS Media talks about the emerging EB-5 market from Middle East and Gulf Corporation Council countries and how to reach and work with that market. BLS Media is the official Publishing Partners of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce; and a recognized market leader for publications covering Investor/residency/citizenship, focusing on the MENA Regions and South East Asia, Turkey and former Soviet Union countries.

 

BLS Media

• After speaking to a great number of their investors and networks, the lack of knowledge about various citizenship residency programs for the Middle East market pushed Director Sam Hussein to launch the first ever publication that aims to educate MENA readers about various investor programs, predominantly EB-5 as well as other trade and investment opportunities in America.

 

• Cyprus, Australia, the Caribbean’s and UK have popular investment programs because they have made huge efforts to have brokers and offices in the Middle East. Unfortunately, organizations and regional centers from the US were not able to market effectively to Middle East audience.

 

The GCC

• The Gulf Corporation Council is a political and economic alliance of 6 Middle Eastern countries composed of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. The goal of EB-5 marketing is not just to reach out to these nationals alone but to the huge amounts of expats residing in these regions. In U. A. E. alone, with a population of 9.2 million, 7.8 million are expats from countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Nigeria, Afghanistan and South African to name a few.

 

• A lot of Americans seem to be hesitant to do business with the Middle East market when in fact the Middle East is very eager to build relations. With the Middle East’s proximity to Britain as well the British Trade delegation’s constant investments and ongoing activities, it is no doubt why the Brits are a success in the Middle East.

 

Trade and Investment – The EB-5 Gateway

• This publication will be produced in English and Arabic. A lot of investors in the Middle Eastern network identify the lack of knowledge and information as to how the EB-5 program works. Unlike China, it is not that easy to obtain information online for MENA regions. In Sudan, for instance, google is restricted. BLS Media aims to produce an educational journal outlining how the EB-5 program works and how investors from the untapped MENA networks can get more involved, considering that the Middle East is the 4^th highest public relations network in the world.

 

• The publication not only educations the MENA regions but the Americans as well. There are very few people who know about Shariya banking and how important it is for financing not just in the GCC but in other countries as well.

 

• Fortunately, BLS Media was able to gain support from the key players in the EB-5 Market by their support and sponsorship of the publication. A directory of said key players in the EB-5 industry with their bios will also be featured. The 1^st edition will be published soon, while the final edition will be out just in time for the Citizenship Expo in Abu Dhabi on Nov 2-4, 2017.

 

Difference in Marketing Between the GCC and China

• In China, there is a lot of emphasis in social media. The GCC, on the other hand, has a lot of emphasis in print media. In certain GCC countries, some social media elements are banned like google and whatsapp for Sudan, which is why the easiest way to foster brand recognition is via the print media. Marketing in China focuses on agent relationship. Outside of China, it’s not. It’s a relationship with professionals that has a lot to do with trust, such as banks and lawyers.

 

Citizenship by Investment Magazine

• This publication is also produced by BLS Media and is featuring Mona Shah in its most recent issue. This is perfect for people who are not sure where to go and are keen in learning about citizenship by investment.

 

Travel ban

• Ever since the travel ban, there have been even more inquiries about the EB-5 Program than ever before. There has been much discussion about the deadline and that prospect that the fees might go up. There has also been news circulating that investors may be exempt from the travel ban.

 

Discover BLS Publications on their website.

 

If you have questions about investment immigration, please reach out to Mona Shah & Associates.