The Middle East is no longer just a destination for imported brands. A new generation of regional IP is emerging — and the licensing infrastructure to support it is finally catching up. Amer Bitar examines what this shift means for global brands, regional rights holders, and the future of MENA licensing.

Explore what the 2026 Gulf crisis reveals about institutional resilience, Bedouin leadership traditions, crisis signaling, and how Gulf governance systems respond to volatility with calibrated control.

A strategic look at aesthetic leadership in the Middle East, examining how tradition, symbolic imagery, cultural authenticity, and innovation influence modern leadership narratives in the region.

This article examines why sports licensing is gaining momentum in the Middle East and how youth demand, government investment, major sporting events, and digital retail are driving market growth.

This article explores why cultural relevance is essential for successful brand licensing with Gen Z in the Middle East and how brands can adapt products, messaging and partnerships to fit regional expectations.

This article explores why strategic partnerships are essential for brand licensing growth in the Middle East and Africa and how trust, cultural alignment, local expertise and due diligence shape success.

This article explores whether licensing is a strong market-entry strategy for the Middle East and Africa and how local expertise, due diligence, cultural adaptation and legal planning influence results.

This article explains how brand licensing is driving growth in the Middle East and why Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt are emerging as key markets for regional expansion.

An in-depth look at how art licensing in the Middle East is evolving through cultural heritage, museum collaborations, brand partnerships, and new opportunities for regional and global market growth.

This article explores how Licensing Horizons is contributing to the growth of the licensing industry in the Middle East by bringing together industry leaders, global experts, and regional decision-makers in Dubai.

This article explores the main licensing challenges in the Middle East and how brands can manage IP protection, local compliance, cultural sensitivity, and market-entry risk more effectively.

This article examines how cinema influenced the cultural discourse of the Arab Spring, focusing on documentary film, political narrative, national identity, and The Square as a case study of Egypt’s revolution.

This article explores why cultural sensitivity is essential in Middle East licensing and how authenticity, local expertise, and deeper cultural engagement help brands build trust and long-term relevance in MENA.

Cultural diversity in the UAE as a competitive advantage for talent attraction, tolerance and global business growth.

Ramadan traditions and customs in the Middle East including iftar, suhoor, charity, and business culture

Learn how cross-cultural training helps organizations build diverse teams, improve communication, reduce bias, strengthen collaboration, and create a more inclusive global work environment.

A practical guide to Saudi Arabia’s culture, etiquette, social values, and business environment, including trust-building, communication, and relationship-based business norms.

A practical guide to business culture in Saudi Arabia, covering trust, etiquette, partner selection, negotiation style, and market-entry considerations.

Explore a cross-cultural project management case between Saudi Arabia and Germany, highlighting trust, relationship-building, communication styles, and the risks of misreading business culture.

Overview Egypt brings to mind an ancient civilization with grand temples and pyramids, the Sphinx, and mummies. For many foreigners, it is little more than the exotic land of pharaohs. And, indeed, ancient Egypt is one of the cradles of human civilization, being closely tied to the Levant and Mesopotamia. This heritage traces back to the sixth millennium BCE , when Neolithic cultures developed independently in Upper (i.e., southern) and Lower (i.e., northern) Egypt. The two