In today’s fast-changing world, CEOs are no longer just business leaders – they are also navigating a complex web of global forces that shape markets, regulations and economies.
From trade wars and supply-chain disruptions to shifting alliances and economic realignments, the challenges of geopolitics and geoeconomics are now business challenges. And as John Chipman, CEO of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, aptly coined in his Harvard Business Review article, every business needs a foreign policy.
But understanding these forces is only part of the equation. CEOs must also ask themselves a set of questions. Where can we add value? How can we shape the global environment we operate in? The answer lies in a new kind of leadership – one that aligns corporate strategies with national priorities, positions companies as “business diplomats”, and uses influence to drive both organisational and societal impact.
For decades, geopolitics might have seemed like a distant concern for the private sector. Today, it is impossible to ignore. Trade tensions, regional conflicts and economic shifts are now disrupting industries and reshaping the global business landscape.
Take Russia’s war in Ukraine, for example, which sent ripples through energy markets and global supply chains. Or consider the ongoing US-China decoupling, which has forced companies to rethink everything from sourcing strategies to market access.
Today, supply chains are all feeling different forms of pressure. The Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts have exposed vulnerabilities, with 70 per cent of executives identifying resilience as a top priority, according to a 2023 McKinsey Global Survey.
Regional trade agreements such as the pioneering Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership are shifting market dynamics in Asia. At the same time, divergent and fragmented global policies on climate, data and trade require companies to navigate increasingly complex global frameworks.
Trade tensions, regional conflicts and economic shifts are reshaping the global business landscape
CEOs must understand how these trends intersect with their businesses and prepare for the risks – and opportunities – they create. They have a unique opportunity to go beyond navigating geopolitics – they can help shape it. By aligning with their country’s national vision and the global sustainable development goals, business leaders can play a pivotal role in economic development and innovation, and have a positive global influence, beyond profit.
Moreover, as business diplomats, CEOs can champion national agendas and align their strategies with government priorities to unlock opportunities and build credibility. They can influence policy and use their platforms to advocate for policies that benefit their industries and broader society. CEOs can also enhance their country’s global reputation by leading in innovation, ethics and sustainability.
In today’s interconnected world, a corporate foreign policy is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. It has evolved from being a tool for mitigating risks to becoming a strategic lever for thriving in a complex global landscape. Companies that adopt a proactive approach to navigating international challenges are not just protecting their operations but also positioning themselves as leaders in an era defined by uncertainty and rapid change.
At its heart, a corporate foreign policy serves as a blueprint for businesses to operate confidently across borders. It begins with robust risk management frameworks, enabling companies to anticipate and navigate geopolitical uncertainties such as sanctions, trade barriers and political instability. By identifying potential disruptions early, businesses can make informed decisions that protect their interests and ensure resilience.
Beyond risk mitigation, effective corporate foreign policy emphasises stakeholder engagement. This means forging meaningful partnerships with governments, non-governmental organisations and multilateral institutions. Such collaboration not only strengthens a company’s credibility but also enables it to contribute to broader global goals, from sustainable development to conflict resolution.
Finally, at the foundation of a forward-looking corporate foreign policy lies a commitment to global citizenship. Companies are expected to align their practices with international standards for sustainability, diversity and ethics. Demonstrating a genuine dedication to these values not only enhances reputations but also builds trust with customers, employees and communities worldwide.
In essence, a well-crafted corporate foreign policy does more than navigate complexity – it transforms challenges into opportunities, ensuring that businesses remain agile, relevant and effective on the global stage.
The most forward-thinking CEOs don’t just respond to global challenges – they help shape the environment in which they operate. They anticipate trends and stay ahead of geopolitical shifts through scenario planning and advanced analytics.
Companies in the semiconductor industry, for instance, are proactively navigating US-China tensions by diversifying supply chains and forming strategic alliances. In areas such as AI and other emerging technologies, CEOs can also collaborate with policymakers and work with governments to create favourable regulatory environments.
During the pandemic, pharmaceutical companies collaborated with policymakers to accelerate vaccine development and distribution. Most importantly, CEOs can foster multi-stakeholder alliances to tackle shared challenges, such as climate change, through partnerships with other businesses, governments and NGOs.
Geopolitical risks are real, but they also create opportunities for businesses to lead. Companies that embrace this challenge can not only protect their operations but also build influence, drive innovation and create value on a global scale.
The future belongs to CEOs who recognise that business and geopolitics are inseparable. By stepping into the role of business diplomats, they can navigate uncertainty, shape the future and contribute to their countries' success.
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
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2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
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