Anne Jafery & Co. - Arab Gulf Advisory
Blonde Wasta
———————-
Your trusted gateway to the Arab Gulf — built on thirty years of genuine relationships, hard-earned trust, and the kind of access that cannot be manufactured.
“Not a four-letter word. Genuine connection. Real trust."
واسطة
|
Blonde Wasta
NOT A FOUR LETTER WORD
Wasta is not nepotism. It is not corruption. It is trust — earned over thirty years of genuine relationship building in the Arab Gulf.
What sets us apart
What sets Anne Jafery & Co. apart is not what we know — it's who we know, and why they trust us. Our relationships across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman were not built through business development. They were built through thirty years of showing up, following through, and treating every connection as an end in itself rather than a means to one.
We bring genuine cultural fluency — not the kind that comes from a briefing document, but the kind that lets us know when a pause in a conversation means something, when a "yes" is actually a "not yet," and when the right move is patience rather than pressure.
We work with U.S. state trade agencies, economic development organizations, and private sector companies who are serious about the Gulf, whether they're evaluating the market for the first time, making their first entry, or trying to generate real revenue in a region where relationships are the currency that matters most.
Our clients don't just get access. They get Wasta. The real kind.
Expertise
Strategic Market Entry
Opportunity Optimization
Missions & Delegations
The Right Introductions
Growth
Investment Attraction & Business Development
Our Team
Anne Z. Jafery
Anne arrived in Dubai in 1989 at twenty-one years old and never looked back. What began as a young woman from Michigan seeking her fortune in foreign lands became one of the most distinctive careers in Arab Gulf business. Over thirty-five years she has built and led companies across IT distribution, publishing, events, eCommerce, and international trade — including launching three new businesses at the height of the 2007-08 global financial crisis, all of which thrived.
Since 2007 she has focused exclusively on trade, investment, and economic development between the United States and the GCC. She’s served as Arab Gulf Trade Representative for Virginia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and is a Strategic Partner of the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration. A two-time President of the American Chamber of Commerce Dubai — the first and only woman to hold that position in its history — and currently Chairman Emeritus of the Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce, Anne is one of the most connected and respected American voices in the Gulf.
She calls it Blonde Wasta™. Thirty-five years of genuine relationships, hard-earned trust, and the kind of access that cannot be manufactured. It is the foundation everything at Anne Jafery & Co. is built on.
Founder & Principal
Arshi Sheikh
Arshi is the operational heart of Anne Jafery & Co. With over a decade of regional experience in international trade and business development across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, she brings the rare combination of deep cultural fluency, exceptional organizational precision, and genuine relationship-building instinct that this work demands.
She has worked with some of the most respected economic development organizations in the United States — including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Maryland Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Embassy in the UAE — delivering trade promotion events, market visits, trade delegations, and B2B programs that consistently exceed client expectations.
As Managing Director, Arshi ensures that every client engagement is executed with the clarity, quality, and care that the Anne Jafery & Co. standard requires. She is the reason the work gets done — and done well.
Partner & Managing Director
Senior Account Manager & Team LeadAjil Abdullah
Ajil brings a sharp commercial mind, deep regional roots, and a background that spans brand partnerships, media, and international trade to his role at Anne Jafery & Co. Based in Dubai and deeply connected to the Gulf's business and cultural landscape, he bridges the gap between market intelligence and meaningful client relationships.
With experience at ITP Media Group, Hypebeast MEA, and prior roles in trade and economic development — including account management for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation — Ajil understands both the analytical rigor and the human relationships that drive successful outcomes in this market. He leads the analyst team on research, trade visits, delegations, and B2B engagement, ensuring that every deliverable meets the quality standard our clients rely on.
A University of Sussex graduate with a Masters in Digital Communications and Public Relations, Ajil combines regional instinct with international perspective — exactly the blend this work requires.
“Anne Jafery is an exceptionally talented professional with a strong network to deliver solutions. Anne has executed critical projects on behalf of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation that have increased small business sales and Arab Gulf region connectivity. Anne’s thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and collaborative spirit have ensured project delivery is efficient and effective. We have greatly benefited from Anne’s contributions supporting Michigan’s small business community and our executive leadership to better integrate and connect within the Arab Gulf region."
Alyssa Tracey, Director, International Trade, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
"The Team was extremely professional and capable. They're like a SWAT team of marketing gurus who help everything flow for you."
Christian Manders, Chief Operating Officer, Promethean LifeSciences, Inc.
“"As the organizer of this trade mission, Anne was imperative to our success. The feedback from our companies has been that 'She knocked it out of the park' and exceeded all of their expectations. Some of the companies have asked us to come back to Dubai. Companies are thrilled with the meetings and impressed with the fact that companies they met with were very prepared."
Lisa Lasser, Supervisor-International Business, Automation Alley— Former Customer
“"The services and matchmaking by Anne Jafery far exceeded my expectations. Being in a field that is very niche based, her team truly went out of their way to find out more about my company and the services we provide and to understand the types of relationships I was looking to develop. I can’t say enough about how dedicated they are and how passionate they are about what they do and providing an amazing service."
Daryl Toby, Principal, Aguafina
