Event Overview 
The Finnish-Arab Business Association is organising a specialised session focused on enhancing communication skills for Finnish companies engaging with Arab markets. The event aims to bridge cultural and professional communication gaps by equipping participants with practical tools and insights into effective communication strategies, particularly within Middle Eastern contexts.

Event Details
Title                
Communication Across Cultures: Skills for Business Success in the Middle East
Date                                     
13^th of May 2026 at 16:00 – 18:00
Venue                                 
Finland Chamber of Commerce, Alvar Aallon katu 5 C, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Registration
The event is free of charge, but you have to register at latest on the 11^th of May 2026  

Objectives
The session aims to: 

•    Strengthen the communication skills of Finnish companies operating in or with the Middle East.

•    Provide cultural insight into communication norms in Arab business environments.

•    Enhance public speaking, pitching, and presentation skills.

•    Encourage more effective cross-cultural collaboration and partnership building.

Target Audience

•    Finnish companies expanding or operating in Middle Eastern markets.

•    Business professionals involved in international partnerships.

•    Startups and entrepreneurs working across cultures.

•    Researchers and experts needing to communicate complex ideas clearly.

Key Topics
The session will cover:

•    Fundamentals of effective communication in business.

•    Communication styles in the Middle East versus Finland.

•    Public speaking and pitching techniques for innovation and ideas.

•    Communicating complex ideas (research, innovation, technology) to diverse audiences.

•    Leading teams and collaborations across continents and time zones.

•    Building genuine partnerships and company cultures across cultures.

Speaker Profile
Dr. Tarek Omran

Dr. Tarek Omran is an Egyptian-Finnish innovation consultant and communication expert. While pursuing his PhD at the University of Turku, he founded Science Pitchers, which has since trained over 2,000 innovators, entrepreneurs, and executives to bring their innovations to market.

He delivers workshops for businesses on topics such as:

The Science of Pitching

A hands-on experience to learn how to communicate innovation and win investors and partners.

Communication Without Borders

Leading teams and collaborations across continents and time zones.

Culture by Design

Building company cultures where values, not nationalities, drive performance.

Beyond the workshop room, Tarek advises Finnish tech companies on entering and growing in international markets, with extensive work across Europe, North America, and the Middle East. In Finland alone, he has partnered with more than 30 organisations, ranging from ministries to universities, technology transfer offices, and innovation hubs such as Slush and the Aalto Ventures Program. He has also contributed to pan-European programs such as Urban Tech, alongside EU-funded initiatives bridging Europe and the Middle East.

He leads a creative studio and hosts YouTube platforms focused on innovation and commercialisation, as well as mental health in business.

Drawing on his lived experience across Egypt, the Emirates, Finland, Canada, and the United States, Tarek helps Finnish companies build genuine, effective partnerships with their international counterparts.

Expected Outcomes

Participants will:

•    Gain practical communication tools applicable immediately in business settings.

•    Develop awareness of cultural nuances in Middle Eastern communication.

•    Improve confidence in public speaking, pitching, and presentations.

•    Build stronger foundations for cross-cultural business relationships.

WELCOME.

Picture: Pixabay