Maalouf Ashford & Talbot, LLP

Samantha Connelly has substantial experience in assisting clients throughout Asia and the Middle East in establishing business operations in new markets. Sam is founder of SinoMena, a market & business development services company which assists companies in connection with international trade matters between China and the Middle East and now brings her years of expertise to assist clients of Maalouf Ashford & Talbot.

Samantha has extensive knowledge of local and regional markets and has an established network of contacts throughout Asia and the MENA region to assist clients in getting their new operations established quickly and efficiently.

The MENA region holds more than 50% of the world’s oil and gas reserves, the recent increase in the price of oil and gas has driven the regions massive investment programs in infrastructure and public services. One of the most dynamic areas of MENA is the Gulf; the countries that form the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman have committed more than $3 Trillion to infrastructure improvements.

The MENA region has one of the fastest population growths in the world. Most of the population is under 30 which fuelling the growth in consumerism. The population size of MENA is bigger than the US and approximately the same size as the EU’s; in 30 years the population will be over 700 Million.

The region’s GDP growth rate is amongst the highest in the world and is the twice the size of India’s. In the Gulf Countries the Gross National Income per Capita is amongst the highest in the World.