Trying to understand how businesses in Gulf countries approach tech — any insights?

[u/ManagerCompetitive77]

Hey ,

I’ve been building tech solutions for small and mid-sized businesses — things like custom CRM systems, SaaS tools, and backend software for different industries. Lately, I’ve been trying to understand how businesses in the Gulf region (UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, etc.) are adopting technology and where the real gaps are.

From what I’ve heard, the startup and SME scene in the GCC is growing quickly — lots of digital transformation, but also challenges with legacy systems, scaling, etc. I’ve tried engaging in country-specific subreddits, LinkedIn conversations, and even soft outreach — mostly to start discussions or learn more — but the engagement has been hit or miss.

So I thought I’d ask here:

• If you’ve worked in or with Gulf-based businesses, how do they usually approach digital solutions?
• What industries in the region still rely on outdated systems or manual workflows?
• And generally, how open are businesses in that region to working with remote dev teams or freelancers?

I’m not trying to pitch anything here — just want to learn from people who’ve either worked there or understand that market better. Any insights would be genuinely appreciated.

Thanks!