Globinar Global Trade Month: GCC Region and Middle East

Globinar Global Trade Month: GCC Region and Middle East

• Monday, June 29th at 7am PT / 6pm UAE / 10am ET / 3pm London / 2pm Accra / 4pm CET / 7:30pm Mumbai / 10pm Singapore / 11pm Seoul + Tokyo 
• Tuesday, June 30th at 12am Sydney

  Global Trade Month (GTM) at Global Chamber® focuses on the practical implementation of trade, with a focus on North America. That includes sharing opportunities that can lead to more growth strategies and deals, and inspiring breakthrough success.

  GTM in June focuses on the GCC Region with multiple parts… including this conversation, and a hybrid event on July 9th with Ayman Al Awadhi, of Global Chamber Dubai… who will add regional and global perspectives to this series, the second of 8 programs in 2026.
  Attend to connect with investment and trade opportunities. We will overview the Middle East / GCC Region business environment, challenges and opportunities, and discuss how exporters, importers and investors can take advantage of the 2026-2027 landscape.
  Agenda June 29th
  • Global Trade Month Middle East / GCC Overview – Doug Bruhnke
  • Opportunities in Oman, Recent Changes and Issues – Rebecca Olson, Harshal Dutia
  • Opportunities in Saudi Arabia – Michael Tucker
  • UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain – Matthew Weeks
  • Yemen – Amr Abdul Salam Almekhlaf
  • More Opportunities – Awais Chughtai 
  • Hybrid Event July 9th in Dubai – Ayman Alawadhi 
  • Wrap-up and Next
  Key Opportunities
  1. AI and Technology
  2. Semiconductors
  3. Aerospace and Space
  4. Automotive and Manufacturing
  5. Agriculture and Agtech
  6. Food, Beverage and Water
  7. Defense and Homeland Security
  8. Energy, Power and Oil & Gas
  9. Healthcare and Life Sciences
  10. Mining and Critical Minerals
  11. Global Real Estate and FDI
  12. Beauty, Retail, Products, Services & More
  Biographies:

  Rebecca Olson – CEO at Oman American Business Council (OABC)

  Rebecca Olson leads the team at OABC. Hailing from Upstate New York, Rebecca brings to OABC more than 20 years of experience serving nonprofit and for-profit organizations in Rochester, Boston, Nairobi, Ramallah, and Muscat. After completing her Master of Science in Communications and Global Business at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rebecca worked with various social development and humanitarian organizations in Boston, pitching urgent press releases to large media outlets and writing speeches for use at international events, UN panel presentations, and US congressional hearings.

  After moving to Muscat in 2013, Rebecca founded Olson LLC, a writing and editing company that specializes in web content, information architecture, marketing plans, and other professional materials for a diverse clientele. Rebecca joined OABC as Executive Director in 2017, helping to double the organization’s membership and number of events annually. Promoted to CEO in 2023, Rebecca is passionate about serving OABC members, facilitating more trade between Oman and the U.S., and helping to make Oman an easy place to do business. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys learning Arabic, traveling, music, and spending time with her three boys exploring the most beautiful parts of Oman.

   

  

  Harshal Dutia – Director of Trade and Investment at Oman American Business Council (OABC)

  Harshal Dutia is the Director of Trade and Investment (US and Oman markets) at OABC. He is passionate about building meaningful connections that drive successful business partnerships, contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of both Oman and the U.S. Harshal has over 9 years of experience in Oman in trade development, business development, and finance, having worked in the government sector, non-profit organizations, and private companies.

  Harshal holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the University of Bradford and has, since his graduation, acquired certifications in finance, management accounting, and cybersecurity over the years. He commenced his professional journey in 2014 by working at a national SME fund to initially set up the funds and complete the legalities for them.

  From 2016, Harshal worked for an international trade development organization in Muscat for over 7 years, spearheading initiatives for several projects in Oman aimed at promoting trade, attracting investments, and facilitating technology transfer. Before joining OABC, Harshal worked for a stint outside Oman, generating business for a cyber fusion platform used by governments for crime solving and prevention.

  Harshal joined OABC in December 2023 to foster, develop, and facilitate trade between Oman and the U.S. This is mainly done through programs run by OABC to help Omani companies export to the U.S. and vice versa, investment promotion, connecting businesses, supporting Omani and American companies in navigating the intricacies of trade through connections, market research, and facilitating the utilization of the US-Oman Free Trade Agreement.

   

  

  Michael Tucker – American Executive Coach & Coaching Culture Architect in Saudi Arabia

  Michael Tucker is an ICF certified executive coach, consultant, published author, entrepreneur, international speaker and tech product development enthusiast. He is committed to the acceleration, advancement and conscious evolution of the global human family.

  As the founder of Tucker Coaching & Consulting, Michael coaches and consults executives, entrepreneurs, leaders and teams around the world.  He specializes in supporting those who seek to align with their higher-Self for the purpose of carrying out their soul’s work on a global scale. Leaders coached by Michael cultivate and refine their leadership and teaming abilities, gain access to enhanced creative capacities, elevate their listening and communication skills to resolve conflict, and improve their ability to mentor and develop organizational talent and future leaders.

  Michael is a member of the International Coaching Federation and the Family Life Coaching Association. He currently serves on the Board of the Unified Progress International (UPI) Loan Fund, Arizona’s only Black-led loan fund and economic development organization focused on providing affordable personal loans to marginalized communities in Arizona. He is a United States Air Force veteran, has a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, a Master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma and a Postgraduate Certificate in Executive & Professional Coaching from the University of Texas-Dallas. Michael enjoys playing tennis, hiking, and traveling. He currently lives in Tucson, Arizona with Ellen, his wife of 13 years.

   

  

  Matthew Weeks – Director of Growth at Auxilium

  I have spent the last 18 years helping businesses navigate workforce challenges in the Middle East. Today, as part of the co-founding team at Auxilium, I focus on one thing: making it simple for companies to hire and operate in the GCC.

  Expanding into the GCC sounds straightforward until you hit the reality of local sponsorship requirements, WPS payroll compliance, visa processing, and labour laws that vary across six countries. Most companies either delay their expansion or take on risk they do not fully understand. That is the problem I solve. As Director of Strategic Partnerships & Growth at Auxilium, I help businesses enter and scale across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, without needing to set up a legal entity. Auxilium acts as the local Employer of Record, we handle visas, payroll, contracts, benefits, and compliance so our clients can focus on growth.

  I have partnered with companies of all sizes, from startups placing their first hire in Dubai to multinationals restructuring their GCC workforce. My approach is consultative: I listen first, then design a solution that fits the business, not the other way around.

  If you are considering hiring in the GCC or need to restructure your current setup, I am always happy to have a conversation. No pitch, just practical advice.

   

  Ayman Al Awadhi – Co-Founder at The Corporate Group and Executive Director at The Global Chamber® UAE

  Ayman Al Awadi, an inspirational leadership speaker and a business visionary, aims to empower startups, individuals and organizations with knowledge, skills, and inspiration they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world. He aims to cultivate and nurture leadership excellence, corporate governance and transformational projects as a leading Emirati-family business based in Dubai with an international approach.

  Ayman is a Co-Founder of The Corporate Group (TCG) based in Dubai with subsidiaries in KSA, Oman and UK. TCG attracts FDIs of corporates and startups across all business sectors to do business in the UAE and GCC region.

   

  Awais Chughtai – Director at Strategic Partnerships, Crossway Global (CWG)

   

  Amr Abdul Salam Almekhlafi – Executive Director at Global Chamber® Yemen

  Mr. Amr Abdul Salam Almekhlafi is a respected economic and business leader with over 15 years of experience in strategic management, international relations, and  institutional development.

  • Managing Partner at Dr. Abdulsalam Almekhlafi Firm – Nexia  International
  • Director of Aseel Relief and Development Foundation
  • CEO of Contemporary Agencies Company
  • Active contributor to multiple investment and development initiatives  across the region
  • Strongly connected with both public and private sectors, leading efforts to integrate Yemen into the global economy

  Global Chamber Yemen – Sana’a Branch, led by Executive Director Amr Abdul  Salam Almekhlafi, serves as Yemen’s dynamic gateway to global trade and  sustainable investment. As part of the worldwide Global Chamber network, we are  committed to enabling cross-border business success through strategic partnerships,  innovation, and economic empowerment.

  Our branch stands as a beacon of opportunity—connecting local expertise with  international vision to drive economic transformation and reduce  unemployment. Yemen is not just a location—it’s a future hub for smart investment and regional growth.

   

  Doug Bruhnke is CEO of Global Chamber®. He’s a founder, entrepreneur and global connector focused on advancing Global Chamber® member businesses with new clients, and into new markets.

  Doug has worked in corporate for decades, first the Dupont Company in Asia and globally, and Phelps Dodge / Freeport McMoRan. Doug had two expatriate assignments, one in Tokyo and another in Singapore. He has over 40 years of global trade experience working with clients in nearly every market segment including automotive, aerospace, industrial, manufacturing, healthcare, life sciences, mining, retail and technology.

  Doug has 5 U.S. patents, and his education includes a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah and an EMBA from Michigan State University. Doug’s affiliations include the Global Chamber®, Arizona District Export Council, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, Thunderbird Global Alumni Network (TGAN) Advisory Council and hundreds of groups in Global Chamber®. He is a German-Polish American born in New York and living in Phoenix + Los Angeles. Doug has a wife of 44 years, a daughter and a superstar grandson.

  Connect with Doug here. Hear the Global Chamber® story here.