After a disappointing 10th-place finish in the 2008-2009 season, Manchester City flexed its financial muscle once again with the signing of such stars as Roque Santa Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, and Carlos Tevez. In the summer of 2010, new manager Roberto Mancini shored up the team even more by signing Mario Balotelli, David Silva, and Jerome Boateng. His investment paid dividends: in the 2011-2012 season, Manchester City won its first English Premier League title since 1968.
In recent years, many of the top soccer clubs in Europe have come under the ownership of wealthy foreign investors. In 2008, the previously mid-table Manchester City Football Club was acquired by Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment in a deal worth some £200 million. Less than 24 hours after acquiring the club, the new Abu Dhabi-based owners acquired Brazilian superstar Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5 million, immediately transforming the club into a major international contender.
After a disappointing 10th-place finish in the 2008-2009 season, Manchester City flexed its financial muscle once again with the signing of such stars as Roque Santa Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, and Carlos Tevez. In the summer of 2010, new manager Roberto Mancini shored up the team even more by signing Mario Balotelli, David Silva, and Jerome Boateng. His investment paid dividends: in the 2011-2012 season, Manchester City won its first English Premier League title since 1968. Like many other countries in the Gulf region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a rich culture with a number of unique customs and traditions. Businesses in the UAE rely heavily on building mutual trust and personal relationships, which largely dictate the success or failure of business arrangements. While society has changed considerably in recent years, many businesses remain family-run operations with the head of the household as the primary decision maker. As such, it is important to identify the head of the family and to direct all business inquiries to that individual.
Unlike many Western cultures, the rules regarding punctuality are not necessarily strict. While it is still important to arrive on time for meetings, it is also customary to take the time to chat and develop personal relationships. In the same vein, hospitality has a central role in business proceedings, and negotiations are often held in hotels or restaurants. Over the course of his career, law professor and transactional attorney Shahram Shirkhani has given to an array of Islamic charities that provide health care, food, and other essentials to communities in need. Based in Tehran, Iran, Shahram Shirkhani frequently travels throughout the Middle East, where charitable giving takes different forms depending on the country.
In the United Arab Emirates, individuals often make various donations of goods and services during the month of Ramadan, during which common acts include the giving of alms and inviting families from disadvantaged backgrounds to break fast at the end of the day. Some of the organizations that distribute alms to underserved communities in the UAE are government ministries; others are nonprofits. In Dubai, whenever an individual or organization wants to host a fundraising event, the fundraising party must obtain approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. Furthermore, all fundraisers must be conducted in conjunction with a charitable organization in Dubai. |
AuthorDr. Shahram Shirkhani works on behalf of prominent multinational corporations and financial institutions in addition to private entities based in Iran and surrounding countries. Archives
February 2016
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