Men in Black and Women in Shades

I have now settled in to a new job here in Baku, Azerbaijan and, as I write this blog, have been here for five weeks. Actually, this is the second time that I have been here, having visited Baku for a one week business trip back in 2000. Probably some time in the future I shall write a longer blog about this country but right now I have to relate to you my initial impressions about the people. As the blog title says, ‘men in black and women in shades’. It seems that nearly all Azeri men (and women) dress in black. Now I don’t have anything against black clothes but when you see every second person, irrespective of age, dressed head-to-toe in black, well, you do wonder. In the West, one normally dresses in black when one goes to a funeral, and most funerals I have attended are baleful, saturnine affairs. I have asked around and all expats I meet cannot explain it and if you ask the Azeris, they say that it’s their culture. But, hey, I still cannot get my head around it. And black shoes . . . nearly all men wear black shoes and then there are the women. Since I have been here – it’s now the first week in December – the weather has been good but we have had a few dull, cloudy days with light rainfall. So, if it’s dark clouds overhead and it is dull, would you ever dream of wearing a pair of sunglasses? No! But here in Azerbaijan I have lost count of the number of women I see wearing their shades even when it’s cloudy and grey overhead! I thought sunglasses were to be worn to protect your eyes from the sunlight? Yes, in most countries in the world this is the norm. Not in Azerbaijan. The other morning I was on my way to work. The sun was just above the horizon and there were dark, threatening clouds overhead and guess what? I saw this woman, who would be in her early 50s, stood at a bus stop, wearing the biggest pair of sunglasses I’ve ever seen. Why? Dunno! Further along the street that morning – it would have been about 7:45am, I came across another woman, much younger, very trendy, and she also is wearing these huge shades. As a rider, both women were dressed from head-to-toe in, yeah, you guessed it – black!

The colour black – what does it conjure up in your mind: black magic, black despair, black Friday, black nights, black deeds, black humour? It’s all doom and gloom, dark and mysterious, funerary, wicked secrets, unenlightened!

Anyway, folks, when I come to a fuller, more compendious understanding of this phenomena, you will be the first to know. Now, I wonder if Azeris dress in black for a wedding?

Saudi Arabia – A Fuel’s Paradise

I left my country for the first time on the 10th April 1980 to go and work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I will not forget that afternoon when, with about an hour to boarding time at London Heathrow airport, there was a bomb scare on an El Al airliner. Most flights out of Terminal Three that year were delayed by about four hours. I eventually set foot on Saudi soil the next day via Bahrain.

My company offered me married status after one year, so that my first year in Saudi was spent alone. I will never forget Christmas Eve, 1980, in my tiny room of the ACC (Aramco Construction Camp) although we called these hellish places Aramco Concentration Camps! I had gone to the canteen and had dinner, tried to phone my wife in Scotland but could not get through. Remember these were the pre-Internet, pre-mobile phone days. I cried that night as I lay on my bed and wondered what the hell am I doing here? It was the saddest, loneliest day of my life.

As time passed by I got to accept the expat life but I can tell you something for nothing, I hated Saudi Arabia.

So we fast forward to the present day and I recently came across this story of an American teacher on an expat website.

____________________

“I taught my lessons in the English language. Most of the people I interacted with at the university knew English. So did most of the shopkeepers. But I also can understand a lot of the Arabic language . . . don't like to speak it, though.

“I was a visiting professor at universities in Oman (1996-97) and United Arab Emirates (2004-2005) and heard from the Western professors who taught there and that Saudi was the worst place in the Middle East, if not the world. They were correct.

“I found out the first week I was on the university campus that the only reason I was hired was because the professor who hired me wanted my wife and I to bring in a sexy Filipina maid - he couldn't, since he was going through a messy divorce. In other words, all this guy, who WAS a good friend of mine until then, wanted me to do was to be his pimp. My students took me to a beheading and crucifixion (without telling me where we were going.) During my last week there (June 2009), an Egyptian professor yelled at me during a final exam in front of 300 students, "Fuck you, fuck America, you piece of shit," over and over at me, tried to beat me up, but was restrained. I asked the university for protection. They refused. Next day, the Egyptian professor came to my office and beat me up. The university tried to cover it up by getting my wife and me out of the country within four days. I've written a 33,000 word book about my year there, and am now in the process of sending proposals out to publishers."

Expats often talk about going through the "stages of culture shock." Examples include the honeymoon phase, the irritation-to-anger stage, the rejection of the culture stage, and the cultural adjustment phase. Do you feel like you went through these or any other stages as you settled into the new culture?

“I knew what I was getting into before I left. I went there mainly because I owed the professor-administrator who hired me a lot of favors (he, like me, is an American citizen, and I've known him for years . . . we've co-authored scholarly papers together). I've written articles about culture shock before, so I know what it means. I was NEVER at the honeymoon stage, and I never adjusted to the ferocious anti-American attitude of almost all Arabs I knew in that miserable country."

What are the things you appreciate most about the new culture?

“Absolutely nothing. Saudi Arabia is the worst place I've ever been. Business Week annual survey says it's the 3rd worst place in the world to live (for expats)."
____________________

In late 1983 I was contacted on the phone by a British technical documentation company who were looking for staff to work on a new project operating out of Singapore and East Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). By then, I was reaching the end of my tether working in Saudi, and applied for the job. I was offered the job within days and took the most extreme delight in handing in my notice to Aramco. A few weeks later I was on a Singapore Airlines flight to S.E. Asia to what was one of the best jobs any expat could wish for. I had exchanged Hell for Heaven in a matter of weeks . . .

Since then, and up to the present day, I have met hundreds of expats who have done their stint in Saudi Arabia and not one, I repeat, not one had anything good to say about that country. Believe me, it’s dire!!!

Become an Expat - Company Information

So you want to become an expat - or exprat - as I prefer to call us. Where to start? Before you even begin to consider working overseas, you need to feel confident enough to leave family, friends, relations and your current environment behind, to take what for all of us is a major career step. Yes, we have all been to the Canaries, Florida, the South of France on holiday and thought, yes, I'd love to work there. But believe me this could be a pipe dream. However, if you have done your research and have the support of your family then go for it. Give it a try and if it's not for you, then return home and feel that, well, I gave it a go but it's not for me. However, many of us veteran expats settle into the expat life and, with the higher tax-free salaries available, it can set you up for the rest of your life.

I have listed below mostly UK companies that you can apply to and check what overseas opportunities are on offer. After that, it's a hit and a miss. However, good luck in your endeavours.

I wish to thank Mike at expats.org for his guidance in compiling the list. Check out his website here http://www.expats.org.uk/
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ABB, UK, Tel: 020 7753 2000 020 7753 2000, Fax: 020 7753 0204,
Addr: Orion House, 5 Upper St. Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9EA

Acre Resources Limited, UK, mail@acre-resources.co.uk, Tel: 0208 758 8467 0208 758 8467 , Mob: 0771 745 4987 0771 745 4987 ,
Addr: 1c Walpole Court, Ealing Studios, Ealing Green, London W5 5EP, Contact: Andrew Cartland, Profile: recruitment agency focused on the environmental sector.

ADE Recruitment Ltd, UK, admin@adegroup.co.uk, Tel: 0161 928 8500 0161 928 8500 , Fax: 0161 928 8800,
Addr: PO Box 53, Parkway House, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2NG, Contact: Chris Scholes

Alba International (IOM), UK, Tel: 07020 971424 07020 971424 , Fax: 07020 971426, Addr: Alba House, Princes Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, Contact: Brian Simpson

Allegis Group, UK, info@allegisgroup.co.uk, Tel: 0118 377 9626 0118 377 9626 / 0118 3779700 0118 3779700, Fax: 0118 377 9601 / 0118 3779110, Addr: 230 Wharfdale Road, Winnersh Triangle, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5TP, Contact: Mark Esom

Ames Consultancy Ltd, UK, jobs@ames.co.uk, Tel: 0208 776 2078 0208 776 2078, Profile: We have been in business over 25 years initially specializing in software and defence related industries. Approximately 10 years ago the company moved into engineering industries in general and now holds an enviable database of qualified and experienced engineers looking for both contract and permanent positions. We have a current client base of some 300+ companies including companies such as Cambridge Consultants, Renishaw, Lloyds Register, Foster Wheeler, Kvaerner, Genesis Oil & Gas, Mott McDonald, Kellogg Brown & Root, Ove Arup, Delphi Corporation etc

Aquatic Engineering and Construction Ltd., UK, response@aquatic.co.uk, Tel: 01224 573359 01224 573359, Fax: 01224 577362 / 01224 577361, Addr: Palmerston Centre, 29/31 Palmerston Road, Aberdeen, AB11 5QP

ARK Recruitment Europe Limited, UK, info@arkrecruit.com, Tel: 0870 224 8020 0870 224 8020, Fax: 0870 224 8021, Addr: W16a, CEC building, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 3NE, Profile: Specialist oil and gas recruitment consultancy. We draw from a vast range of both recruitment and oil and gas expertise based from our offices in Chester and Cairo

ASA International, UK, Tel: 01224 652 600 01224 652 600, Fax: 01224 652 666, Addr: 60 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1BB

Atkins plc, UK, info@atkinsglobal.com, Tel: 01372 726140 01372 726140, Fax: 01372 740055, Addr: Woodcote Grove, Ashley Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5BW

Axiom Construction Recruitment, UK, contact@axiom-recruitment.com, Tel: 023 8000 1002 023 8000 1002, Fax: 023 8000 1011, Addr: Roxan Business Centre, 142 Lodge Road, Southampton, SO146QR, Contact: Russell Farmer, Profile: Axiom provides face to face career advice and job opportunities for permanent, contract and freelance construction professionals. We recruit for main contractors and consultancies in the UK and overseas.

AXIS Well Technology Ltd, UK, info@AXIS-wt.com, Tel: 01224 829200 01224 829200, Fax: 01224 829201, Addr: Unit E, Kettock Lodge, Aberdeen Science & Technology Park, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB22 8FG , Profile: Axis Well Technology are an oil and gas consultancy, specialising in Well testing, Completions and Well Services. We have a number of overseas contracts and would welcome applicant from the expat community

BG Group plc, UK, apply via website, careers@bg-group.com, Addr: 100 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1PT

Brunel International UK Ltd, UK, energy@brunel-uk.com, Tel: 0141 302 3000 0141 302 3000, Fax: 0141 302 3001, Addr: Epic House, 28-32 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, G2 7LP

Calco Services Ltd, UK, careers@calco.co.uk, Tel: 020 8655 1600 020 8655 1600, Fax: 020 8655 1588, Addr: Lawrence House, 9 Woodside Green, London, SE25 5EY, Contact: Paul Griffin, Profile: Calco Services, with nearly two decades working with some of the best-known organisations in the Construction, Building and Rail sectors, can provide that impetus to a flagging career. Whether you are just starting out on your career path or possess a lifetime of experience, Calco has the opportunities to progress you to the next step and the contacts to ensure your experience is rewarding both personally and financially. Among the disciplines we are currently sourcing for are Quantity Surveyors, Site Managers, Electrical & Power Engineers, Building Surveyors and Highways and Traffic Engineers.

Cameron Wallace Associates, UK, info@cameronwallace.co.uk, Tel: 0141 429 5331 0141 429 5331, Fax: 0141 429 0199, Addr: Carlton Place, Glasgow, G5 9TW, Contact: Ms K Bostock, Profile: Cameron Wallace Associates is a UK-based financial recruitment consultancy that specialises in recruiting Qualified Accountants and Auditors for the International Accountancy market. They specialise within the public practice sector and currently have audit positions available in the USA, UK, Caribbean, Bermuda, Mainland Europe, UK, Asia, Australia & New Zealand.

Capital Group, UK, information@cap-recruit.co.uk, Tel: 020 8542 8131 020 8542 8131, Fax: 020 8540 7385, Addr: Broadway House, 112-134 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RL

CAPPO International Ltd, UK, info@cappo.co.uk, Tel: 020 8776 1850 020 8776 1850, Fax: 020 8777 9952, Addr: Cappo House, 38-40 High Street, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 0NJ, Contact: Peter Allington

Continental Contracting PLC, UK, CV-approvals@ccl-ltd.com, Tel: 0191 4556755 0191 4556755, Fax: 0191 4556733, Addr: Suite 7 Cookson House, River Drive, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 1TL, Contact: Brian Campbell (Managing Director)

Contract Design (Northern) Ltd, UK, enquiries@contractdesign.co.uk, Tel: 0191 232 2737 0191 232 2737 / 0191 232 702 6206, Fax: 0191 261 1219, Addr: 9-11 St. James Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 4NF, Contact: Peter Douglass, Joint Managing Director, Profile: Design and Draughting

Currie and Brown, UK, resources@currieb.co.uk, Tel: 01582 793003 01582 793003, Fax: 01582 790500, Addr: The Red House, High Street, Redbourn, Herts, AL3 7LE, Contact: Ted Runciman, Group HR Manager

Delton Personnel Ltd, UK, recruitment@deltongroup.com, Tel: 01772 884545 01772 884545 / 01772 884646 01772 884646, Fax: 01772 885005, Addr: Ribblesdale House, 14 Ribblesdale Place, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3NA

Engineering Resources Limited, UK, erl@amagroup.co.uk, Tel: 01799 531121 01799 53112, Fax: 01799 531107, Addr: Stanley House, Station Approach, London Road, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden, CB10 1NY

EPC Global, UK, Tel: 020 8600 1614 020 8600 1614 / 020 8846 6910 020 8846 6910, Fax: 020 8741 2001, Addr: 20 Broadway Chambers, Hammersmith Broadway, London, W6 7PW, Contact: Irene Coburn, Profile: Was BEPOS (recruiter for BECHTEL)

Eximius Technical, UK, bradlewington@eximiustechnical.com, Tel: 0203 003 5520 0203 003 5520, Addr: 107 - 111 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2AB, Contact: Bradley Lewington, Profile: We are a specialist technical recruitment consultancy supplying the best qualified and skilled personnel to many of the global technical industries including:upstream and downstream oil & gas, minerals & mining and renewable energy. In each of these areas we provide a complete recruitment service, covering the whole project life cycle from conceptual design and development through to hook up & commissioning (HUC) and operations.

Farn Williams International Search, UK, jonathan.farn@farnwilliams.com, Tel: 020 7309 0340 020 7309 0340, Addr: 16-25 Bastwick Street, Barbican, London EC1V 3PS, Contact: Anna Parish, C&EE Practice Administrator, Profile: Farn Williams is a boutique Executive Search firm specialised in placing local and international candidates with foreign and domestic companies on mainland Europe, including a strong franchise in Russia, CIS & Eastern Europe. We have been active in this market since 1993 and now have a rep office and local Associate in Moscow and soon to be in Czech. Key for us is prior experience of working in an emerging market-Eastern Europe and ideally relevant language skills. See our website for examples (non-exhaustive) of current mandates.

Fircroft Engineering Services, UK, recruitment@fircroft.co.uk, Tel: 0161 905 2020 0161 905 2020, Fax: 0161 969 1743, Addr: Trinity House, 114 Northenden Road, Sale, Cheshire, M33 3FZ, Contact: Phil Waring SALES and MARKETING MANAGER

First Recruitment Group, UK, technical@first-careers.co.uk, Tel: 01925 851777 01925 851777, Addr: Chadwick House, Birchwood, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6AE, Profile: The company has an enviable reputation and has established itself as 'best in class' recruiter for quality and professionalism. To meet the diverse and complex needs of business and industry, First Recruitment Group draws on the unrivalled expertise of its employees to provide high calibre personnel at all levels and across many disciplines.

Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd, UK, uk_staffing@fwuk.fwc.com, Tel: 0118 913 1234 0118 913 1234 / 0118 913 4407 0118 913 440, Fax: 0118 939 6333 / 0118 913 2333, Addr: Shinfield Park, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 9FW, Contact: Peter Theakston

Global Technical Recruitment, Australia, Tel: +61 2 9411 6866 +61 2 9411 6866, Fax: +61 2 9411 6966, Addr: Lvl 2, 781 Pacific Highway, Chatswood, Sydney

GPW Contract Services, UK, m.parish@gpw.uk.com, Tel: 01744 23454 01744 23454, Fax: 01744 451766, Addr: Worsley House, North Road, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 2BL

Heston (Middle East) Ltd, UK and Kuwait, mail@heston.net, Tel: 01624 824595 01624 824595, Fax: 01624 825657, Addr: The Parade, Market Square, Castletown, Isle of Man, IM9 1LQ

Hill McGlynn International, UK, international@hillmcglynn.com, Tel: 023 8022 1122 023 8022 1122, Fax: 023 8022 0011, Contact: Pete Marston, Profile: Hill McGlynn is leading the way in Construction Recruitment in both the UK and Worldwide markets. We can offer you a complete service for all your recruitment needs.

Hunter Personnel, UK, david.kellett@hunterpersonnel.com, Tel: 01202 298322 01202 298322, Addr: 24 St Peters Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2LN, Contact: David Kellett, Profile: Established in 1976, Hunter Personnel continues to provide human resources and services to the international Civil Engineering, Mining, Minerals, and Tunnelling industries. Managed by a team of industry specialists, Hunter Personnel has expanded, adapting to the ever changing needs of the world market and playing an increasingly more active role in the servicing of client needs.

INTEC Engineering (UK) Ltd, UK, Tel: 01483 795300 01483 795300, Fax: 01483 795315 , Addr: Lansbury Estate, 102 Lower Guildford Road, Knaphill Surrey GU21 2EP

Inter Services, UK, info@interservices.co.uk, Tel: 01224 640 600 01224 640 600 , Fax: 01224 642 422, Addr: Thistle House, 24-26 Thistle Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1XD, Contact: Recruitment Co-ordinator , Profile: Service Contractor for Drilling/Production/ Maintenance/ Marine and Construction regarding Personnel Services

Interocean Personnel Services (UK) Limited, UK, Tel: 01642 781777 01642 781777, Fax: 01642 783777, Addr: Tirrem House, 16 High Street, Yarm, Cleveland, TS15 9AE

Ipedex UK Limited, UK, cv@ipedex.co.uk, Tel: 01224 853030 01224 853030, Fax: 01224 853030, Addr: Units 5 & 6 Venue Business Park, Grandholm Crescent, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB22 8AA, Contact: Sharon Dean – Operations Manager, Profile: Since 1986 Ipedex UK has provided high quality services ranging from expert consultants to turnkey teams of field operatives, mainly to companies in the Energy (Oil & Gas and related) sectors, both overseas and in the UK. We welcome CVs from skilled candidates, in all categories and professional fields, who have several years experience providing good and reliable service at overseas locations.

Jobact Petrochem Ltd (JPL), UK, bgs@jobact.co.uk, Tel: 0208-395-9929 0208-395-9929 , Fax: 0208-395-9939 , Addr: First Floor, 7-11 Woodcote Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 OLH, Contact: Brian Smith

Kappa Management International Ltd, UK, contact@kmil.co.uk, Tel: 020 8688 2217 020 8688 2217, Fax: 020 8688 4336, Addr: Amy Johnson House, 15 Cherry Orchard Road, Croyden, Surrey, CR9 6BA, Contact: Emmanuel Josserand, Profile: Technical Assistance and project Consultancy for the oil and gas industry

KBR (Kellogg Brown & Root), UK, Tel: 01224 770033 01224 770033, Fax: 01224 792049 / 01224 792072, Addr: Alba Gate, Stoneywood Park, Dyce, Aberdeen, AB21 7HN

KBR (Kellogg Brown & Root), UK, Tel: 01372 866565 01372 866565 / 01372 65000 01372 865000, Fax: 01372 863287 / 01372 864400, Addr: Hill Park Court, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7NL

KCA Deutag, UK, recruitment@uk.kcadeutag.com, Tel: 01224 299600 01224 299600, Fax: 01224 248968, Addr: KCA DEUTAG, Minto Drive, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen AB12 3LW, Profile: U.P.C International is a division of Prodrill and provides engineering, technical, and support service personnel to the global oil and gas industry.

LA International, UK, mail@lainternational.com, Tel: 01782 203040 01782 203040, Fax: 01782 203050, Addr: International House, Festive Way, Stoke on Trent, ST1 5UB, Contact: Samantha Bradley Recruitment Consultant

LA Recruitment, UK, info@larecruitment.co.uk, Tel: 01224 212929 01224 212929, Fax: 01224 573845, Addr: 173 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6BB

Ling Management Ltd, UK, apply via website, Tel: 01256 356565 01256 356565, Fax: 01256 812864, Addr: Kulite House, Stroudley Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 8UG, Profile: Ling Management Consultants is a recruiting organisation providing services to companies and candidates mainly in the technical field at senior management and senior engineer levels

Matchtech Group plc, UK, Apply via website, Tel: 01489- Automotive, Aircraft and Rail -898200, Construction -898100, Offshore and Marine -898150, Process -898250, etc., Fax: 01489 898290, Addr: 1450 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Whiteley, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7AF, Profile: One of the top 50 recruitment companies in the UK, merger of Matchtech and Matchmaker.

MC2 Technical Recruitment Ltd, UK, Tel: 01642 660600 01642 660600, Fax: 01642 664466, Addr: Newport House, Teesdale South, Thornaby Place, Stockton on Tees, TS17 6SE, Profile: MC2 are recruitment specialists, providing executive-level advice and services to a wide range of sectors relating to the built environment. By utilising our in-depth knowledge and understanding of the industries we serve, MC2 is perfectly positioned to deliver the right people at the right time.

Medevco Limited, UK, info@medevco.co.uk, Tel: 0161 877 6777 0161 877 6777, Fax: 0161 877 6282, Addr: Capital House, 458 Chester Road, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 9HD, Contact: Colin Moore, Profile: Medevco Limited also specialise in providing clients with specialist advice in relation to the procurement, contract formualtion and agreement and contract management for major E.P.C. projects throughout the Middle-East and the rest of the World. This includes sourcing and providing clients with the specialist and skilled staff needed to manage such E.P.C. and similar engineering contracts.

Mentor International Management Consultants, UK, jobs@mentorinternational.com, Tel: 020 8478 9930 020 8478 9930, Fax: 020 8478 9835, Addr: Mentor House, 1 Clements Court, Clements Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG1 2QY

Midland Cryogenics Limited, UK, offshore@midlandcryogenics.com, Tel: 01902 791999 01902 791999 , Fax: 01902 791909, Addr: Brock Building, Aspley Close, Four Ashes Industrial Estate, Wolverhampton, WV10 7DE

Moody International Limited, UK, admin@moody-group.com, Tel: 01444 458111 01444 458111 , Fax: 01444 457324, Addr: Cuckfield House, High Street, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 5EL

Multi Project Support Ltd (MPS), UK, recruit@mps-ltd.co.uk, Tel: 01325 351 844 01325 351 844, Fax: 01325 283 680, Addr: 23 Woodland Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 7BJ, Contact: Tony Gillam, Profile: MPS specialise in engineering recruitment and engineering vacancies and have over 30 years experience in placing engineering personnel in jobs in the UK and worldwide. We recruit and supply highly skilled technical personnel to clients in the mechanical, electrical and civil engineering fields. We supply both contract and permanent staff to our worldwide client base. We handle engineering jobs and engineering vacancies for all disciplines but are particularly active in the Oil & Gas and Petrochemical fields.

MW Kellogg Ltd, UK, Apply via website, no speculative CV's, Tel: 020 8872 7000 020 8872 7000, Fax: 020 8872 7272, Addr: Kellogg Tower, Greenford Road, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 0JA

NES Overseas Ltd, UK, admin@nesoverseas.com, Tel: 0161 942 7000 0161 942 7000, Fax: 0161 941 4873, Addr: Station House, Stamford New Road, Altrincham, WA14 1EP, Contact: Michael Wallace, Profile: NES is a leading technical, engineering, rail and IT recruitment specialist, with a nationwide network of UK offices and strategic international locations. With a range of prestigious awards, including the Queen%92s Award for Enterprise 2007 for International Trade - the company provides a range of value-added services throughout the manpower supply chain to the Oil and Gas, Petrochemical, Power Generation and Infrastructure sectors

Network Overseas, UK, steve.mcallister@network.cc, Tel: 020 7580 5151 020 7580 5151, Fax: 020 7580 6242, Addr: 34 Mortimer Street, London, W1W 7JS, Contact: Steve McAllister or Neil McEwan

Norman Broadbent, UK, enquiries@normanbroadbent.com, Addr: Dorland House, 20 Regent Street, London, SW1Y 4PH, Contact: Jackie Osborne, Profile: Founded in 1982, Norman Broadbent has a long and distinguished track record as one of the leading names in Executive Search, Interim Management and Leadership Development. Our whole approach is built around an in-depth knowledge of our clients.

Oceaneering International Services Ltd, UK, oie-uk@oceaneering.com, Tel: 01224 770444 01224 770444, Fax: 01224 771583, Addr: North Norfolk House, Pitmedden Road, Dyce, Aberdeen, AB21 0DP, Contact: Brian Studman, Fay Cameron

OIE Services, UK, recruit@oieservices.com, Tel: 0845 6125925 0845 6125925, Fax: 0845 6125919, Addr: Regent House, 36 Regent Quay, Aberdeen, AB11 5BE

OilExec International, UK, Tel: 01224-224220 01224-224220, Fax: 01224-575198, Addr: 14 Regent Quay, Aberdeen, AB11 5AE

Onstream European consultancy BV, Netherlands, g.folkerts@onstreamgroup.com, Tel: +31 223669679 +31 223669679, Fax: +31 223669668, Addr: Nijverheidsweg 9, 1785 AA Den Helder, Contact: Gert Folkerts, Profile: Onstream European Consultancy - employs worldwide highly skilled Management Personnel, Discipline Engineers and Construction Management both for the onshore and offshore oil and gas and Petrochemical industries.

Orion Engineering Services Ltd, UK, cvs@orioneng.com, Tel: 01224 632121 01224 632121 , Fax: 01224 640046, Addr: 21 Albert Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1XX

Overseas Technical Service (Harrow) Ltd, UK, recruitment@mbakercorp.com, Tel: 020 8863 2222 020 8863 2222, Fax: 020 8861 3101, Addr: 1st Floor, 104 College Road, Harrow, Middlesex , HA1 1BQ

Paragon Employment Services Ltd, UK, recruit@paremp.com, Tel: 01276 677666 01276 677666, Fax: 01276 677388, Addr: Camberley House, 85 High Street, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3SZ

Petrofac UK Ltd, UK, recruit@petrofac.co.uk, Tel: 01483 738500 01483 738500, Fax: 01483 738501, Addr: Chester House, 76-86 Chertsey Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 5BJ

Petrolic Consultants Ltd, UK, intray@petrolic.co.uk, Tel: 01483 302133 01483 302133 / 01483 566266 01483 566266, Fax: 01483 579891, Addr: 174 High Street, Guildford, Surrey , GU1 3HW, Profile: specialising in providing technical contract and permanent staff to the Oil and Gas, Petrochemical, Process Plant, Power and Construction Industries

PMR (Professional Management Resources Ltd), UK, info@pmr-worldjobs.co.uk, Tel: 01892 784226 01892 784226, Fax: 01892 784228, Addr: PO Box 23, Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5 6XL, Profile: Recruitment Agency, established 1985, specialising in overseas assignments for professional engineering and support personnel

Prime International Resources Ltd, UK, info@primeinternational.co.uk, Tel: 0161 904 7648 0161 904 7648, Fax: 0161 904 7927, Addr: 307 Stockport Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA15 7SP, Contact: Richard Heap, Profile: Prime International Resources Ltd was formed in 1993 in Manchester by its current directors Martin Bate and Richard Heap with the objective of becoming a key player in International Specialist Recruitment. 10 years on and Prime International, having placed thousands of specialists into hundreds of companies on six continents, continue their success and growth with an ever increasing base of satisfied repeat clients.

Protec Technical Ltd, UK, cv@protectechnical.co.uk, Tel: 01329 232221 01329 232221, Fax: 01239 232225, Addr: 21 - 23 East Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 4BZ, Contact: David Hepwoth, Profile: Protec Technical Ltd is a professional engineering recruitment agency, dedicated to meeting the resourcing requirements of a wide variety of clients within the Defence, Aerospace, Marine, Transport and Manufacturing disciplines. Our strengths lie in the placement of both permanent and contract Engineers throughout the design, manufacturing, service and support processes.

QADS (Quality Assurance Design Services), UK, busy@qads.co.uk, Tel: 01270 250055 01270 250055 , Fax: 01270 250077, Addr: 69 Nantwich Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 6AW, Contact: Marianne Pleavin - Office Manager, Profile: QADS provide permanent and temporary engineering staff to clients in the Construction, power generation and petrochemical industries throughout the UK and Overseas.

Raeburn Group Limited, UK, info@raeburn.com, Tel: 01224 - Technical/IT 626333, Recruitment / Training 625050, Nurse / Care 626700, Fax: 01224 626840, Addr: 220 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TL

RBG Limited, UK, Apply via website, recruitment@rbgltd.com, Tel: 01224 845152 01224 845152 , Fax: 01224 845155, Addr: Norfolk House, Pitmedden Road, Dyce, Aberdeen AB21 0DP

Recruitment International Ltd, UK, info@recruitmentinternational.co.uk, Tel: 01423 530533 01423 530533, Fax: 01423 530558, Addr: International House, PO Box 300, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5XL

Recruitment Services Ltd, UK, jobs@rsljobs.com, Tel: 01903 820303 01903 820303, Fax: 01903 821414, Addr: Penthouse Suite, Worthing House, 2-6 South Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3AE

Roevin International Ltd, UK, apply via website, aberdeen@roevin.co.uk, Tel: 01224 572852 01224 572852, Fax: 01224 571983, Addr: Roevin House, 43 Dee Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6DY

Roevin Management Services Ltd, UK, teeside@roevin.co.uk, Tel: 01642 430033 01642 430033 , Fax: 01642 430022, Addr: B232 , Wilton Centre, Redcar, Cleveland, TS10 4RF

RoS International Ltd, UK, info@ros-international.com, Tel: 01482 211155 01482 211155 / 01904 525957 01904 525957, Fax: 01482 211166 / 01904 525085, Addr: Suite 223/224, Queens House, Paragon Street, Hull, HU1 3NQ, Contact: Emma Wilson

Rullion Engineering Personnel Limited, UK, rep.altrincham@rullion.co.uk, Tel: 0161 942 2513 0161 942 2513 / 0161 942 2633 0161 942 2633, Fax: 0161 942 2505, Addr: PO Box 124, Trafalgar House, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1FB, Contact: Craig Ruff - Contracts Manager, Profile: Now the UK's 5th largest independent recruitment agency and the 2nd largest technical agency in the UK, Rullion turnover is now in excess of £3150m.

Scantec Personnel, UK, recruit@scantec.co.uk, Tel: 0151 670 0300 0151 670 0300 , Addr: The Old Bank, 56 Shrewsbury Road, Oxton, Prenton, Merseyside, CH43 2HY

Strategic Resources, UK, info@strategic-resources.co.uk, Tel: 01224 583123 01224 583123 , Fax: 01224 583122, Addr: 15 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5BU

Swift Technical Services, UK, info@swift-technical.com, Tel: 020 8370 4471 020 8370 4471 / 020 8350 0011 020 8350 0011, Fax: 020 8350 0007, Addr: 3 Cecil Court, 49-55 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 6DE

Systemford Ltd, UK, recruitment@systemford.co.uk, Tel: 01945 440652 01945 440652, Fax: 01945 440689, Addr: Sandy Gate, Sutton St James, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 0HG, Contact: Bob Cockerton, Profile: We are a support consultancy firm dedicated to providing a first class, service for our client companies and job applicants. We are primarily experienced in the placement of suitably qualified staff on either a direct employment or contract hire basis. However, we also provide other related services, the range of which we continually seek to expand. Our consultant staff are enthusiastic and experienced in our main fields of activity e.g. Oil, Gas Petrochemical, Operations and Maintenance, Education, Construction, Engineering, Medical, Fire/Crash Rescue Services and Leisure.

Tecna Associates Ltd, UK, vacancies@tecnaassociates.co.uk, Tel: 0141 275 4887 0141 275 4887, Addr: St Georges Building, 5 St Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2DH, Contact: Steven Lindsay, Profile: "Tecna specialises in the recruitment of Project Management, Engineering and Technical personnel for projects worldwide in the oil and gas, power, energy and water sectors.

Teknica (UK) Ltd, UK, recruitment@handsa.co.uk, Tel: 020 7413 9600 020 7413 9600, Fax: 020 7413 0199, Addr: 137 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6PW

The Aim Group, Inc, UK, info@theaimgroup.net , Tel: 01224 323124 01224 323124, Profile: Company supplies contract specilaists to client basis on a global basis. Client base consists of Oil and Gas producers and engineering firms. Extensive track record in South America and South East Asia.

TPSL Management Services, UK, info@tpsl.net, Tel: 023 8040 6600 023 8040 6600, Fax: 023 8040 7700, Addr: Oaktree House, Lowford, Bursledon, Southampton SO31 8ES UK, Contact: Richard Stevens, Profile: We are primarily a construction recruitment agency placing people on contract and into permanent positions through out the UK and Oversea.

TRM Consulting Limited, UK, info@trmconsulting.co.uk, Tel: 07769940495, Addr: 130 The Oaks, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7UZ, Contact: Paul ONeill, Profile: TRM Consulting Limited is one of the UK's premier bespoke Training, Recruitment and Management consultancy companies, operating in the UK and Overseas, in the Civil Engineering, Rail Planning, Rail Engineering, Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering, Town Planning, Development Planning, Environmental planning and Airport design, Master-Planning and Engineering industry sectors.

Trojan Management Search, UK, info@trojan.co.uk, Tel: 020 8524 7533 020 8524 7533 , Fax: 020 8524 6955, Addr: Forest House, 166-172 Station Road, Chingford, London, E4 6AN, Profile: International Executive Search Consultancy specialising in the recruitment of senior level individuals across a variety of industries and countries

Umm Al-Jawaby Oil Service Ltd, UK, PNicholls@jawaby.co.uk, Tel: 020 7314 6000 020 7314 6000 , Fax: 020 7266 5375 / 020 7314 6136, 6140, Addr: 15-17 Lodge Road, St Johns Wood, London, NW8 7JA

Vitruvian Consultants Ltd, UK, info@vitruvian-consultants.com, Tel: 01302 359003 01302 359003 , Addr: 44 Wright Business Park, Carr Hill, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 8DE, Contact: Joe Rothwell, Profile: specialist Upstream Oil & Gas Recruitment Organisation. With over 30 years combined technical recruitment, search, and international management experience our staff have encountered most of the situations that arise during the life cycle of a project and are therefore able to offer solutions, and gear services based on actual experience.

Wood Group, UK, careers@woodgroup.com, Tel: 01224 851000 01224 851000, Fax: 01224 851474, Addr: John Wood House, Greenwell Road, East Tullos, Aberdeen, AB12 3AX

Woodland Consultancy Services, UK, wcs-jobs@woodland.co.uk, Tel: 01689 828999 01689 828999, Fax: 01689 898980, Addr: Bayheath House, 4 Fairway, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent, BR5 1EG, Contact: Suzanne Wood

Working Smart, UK, info@working-smart.co.uk, Tel: 01483 481141 01483 48114, Fax: 01483 799738, Addr: PetroTech House, Francis Place, The Green, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0JT, Profile: specialises in providing recruitment services to the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry world-wide.

Worrall Lees Associates Ltd, UK, andywarrall@wla.co.uk, Tel: 01832 272872 01832 272872, Fax: 01832 274974, Addr: 1 St Osyth's Lane, Oundle, Northamptonshire, PE8 4BG, Contact: Andy Worral Managing Director, Profile: WLA is a technical resources company specialising in the provision of services and personnel to the Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction, Petrochemical and Oil & Gas industries, in onshore and offshore environments. We supply Engineers, Quality Assurance/Control and Administration services.

The Saudis Don’t Like Facebook

Well, when I read the news it didn’t come as a great surprise. Having worked in Saudi Arabia twice; or should I say, having existed there twice, it just reinforced my belief that this country isn’t a kick in the ass away from a dictatorship. According to Associated Press (AP) ‘. . . an official with Saudi Arabia's communications authority says it has blocked Facebook because the popular social networking website doesn't conform with the kingdom's conservative values.’ Excuse me, ‘conservative values’? So why hasn’t it banned Twitter?

The official says Saudi's Communications and Information Technology Commission blocked the site on Saturday November 13 and when Internet users tried to access the site they got an ‘error’ message. The official stated that Facebook's content had "crossed a line" with the kingdom's conservative morals, but that blocking the site is a temporary measure. But get this, the official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media. I mean, it gets worse, doesn’t it. You couldn’t make it up. And yet the Saudis recently spent $14billion on arms deals with the United States, the very country which created the Facebook phenomena!

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam and religious leaders have strong influence over policy making and social mores and yet every weekend hundreds of young Saudi men either drive over the causeway linking Bahrain for alternative forms of entertainment. Or they can catch a shuttle flight to get drunk in the drinking dens of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. About three years ago I had cause to stay at a prominent hotel in Manama, the Bahrain capital, and was astonished to see that many of them weren’t there for the proliferation of Chinese prostitutes but for other men!!! As I understand it, homosexuality is a grave sin in Islam which can be punished by flogging and lengthy jail sentences. This isn’t a conservative value but more a reluctance to accept that we are in the 21st century where freedom of expression is the first and last bastion of human rights.

But never mind, Pakistan also imposed a temporary ban on Facebook earlier this year – so at least the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has that in common with a regime fighting for its life from a Taliban/Al-Qaeda insurgency. Looks like the two cheeks of the same backside!

Buy a House and Get a Wife

And I'm not joking! When I first came across this I just couldn't believe it. Buy a house and get a free wife? Absolutely - no joke. Mind you there's plenty men out there who would be put off with such a deal. Buy a house and get a wife? Shocking! Disasterous! Cockeyed! Bonkers! Demented, even! I mean, who in their right mind would make the most important of life's investments - a house - only to be lumbered with a bird?

Let's get down to basics. The wife in question is - wait for it - Chinese. The problem is, many analysts are getting around to the realisation that perhaps the burgeoning Chinese economic bubble is just about to burst. The fact is, Chinese property developers blindly tried to emulate the construction boom of the Middle East without figuring who in Hell's nation was going to buy the properties. Let's face it, the Middle East Arabs are rich - Chinese bourgeoisie are not. So, in the light of this, some bright spark came up with a chef-d'oeuvre; give away a wife with the house!

Jin Tai Cheng, a Beijing company, is the company in question for prospective buyers of its Ecological Bay properties. The basic idea is that one would take a sales lady out on a date and, once you have bought your property, and if you decided to marry, the company will also give you 60,000 renminbi (RMB) (£5,600.00). The thing is, the company actually 'lured' the sales girls into the job with a promise of a wealthy husband. A senior company executive is on record as saying that the developer is not making money by selling apartments and decided to strike a deal with a local matchmaking agency to marry off these "unwanted" girls to rich husbands. In return, the developer would receive much more than RMB 60,000 for every girl they manage to "give away". This way, the girls wouldn't lose face by putting themselves on sale, the husbands don't lose face by going directly to an agency to look for a bride, and the developer makes a nice profit. Pretty cool, no?

As a postscript to this story, I further learned that, unlike the visage that accompanies this blog, the girls were said to be 'not very nice looking!'

The Not So Great Britain

Firstly, I will state upfront that I am British but am I proud of it? Well many years ago I was proud to be British. Being British meant that you enjoyed a first class education, benefited from a free national health service and had the security of a strong economy. We manufactured goods: automobiles, steel, cars, we had a flourishing ship building industry, coal, latterly a great oil industry, and 101 other things. You were free to do what you wanted – well with limitations – I could join a demonstration, I could be a Tory, a Labourite, a Liberal Democrat, a communist, a fascist – you name it - I could throw eggs at the Prime Minister, I could denigrate religions, I could get drunk if I wanted – in other words, I was free to do my own thing. I had the right to vote in one of the greatest democracies in the world. Great Britain was a country attractive to many potential immigrants. We produced some of the greatest music of the last 150 years, we invented things, the Great British Pound (GBP) was a pillar of global foreign exchange markets, we had some of the finest universities in the world (still do) and yet why are we not “Great” any more?

Well, let’s start with economics. As I write this article we have just had a general election. We now have a hung parliament with no party enjoying an overall majority. This is exactly what the global stock markets and foreign currency exchanges were dreading. The result? Within hours of the election result, pound sterling fell against all major currencies – it took a hammering! The hung parliament added to the world’s stock markets in near collapse although the major cause of that was Greece’s deep financial trouble. What else? The country is drowning in a sea of debt both at Governmental and personal levels. It is predicted that the Bank of England will soon have to raise interest rates. This makes our exports less attractive to overseas markets, it will cause High Street prices to rise, and, in the background lurking in the shadows like the Sword of Damocles, higher unemployment. More people on the dole results in a higher unemployment benefits expenditure which, clearly, the Governement cannot afford. So, how does the Government resolve this problem? It simply borrows more money; it’s an endless cycle and a Gordian Knot wrapped into one.

There is immigration. Put simply, over the last 25 years, Great Britain has opened its doors to all and sundry. To a certain extent this has resulted in ethnic tensions in many of our big cities. It has given rise to the English Defence League, a thugish organisation whose sole raison d’etre is the elimination of Islam in our society. The British National Party is more popular than ever. Inner city violence is on the increase, drug addiction is at an all time high, and prostitution is stronger than ever. The problem is the Government hasn’t the financial resources to bolster our police forces. Law and order is on the verge of breaking down completely. Our military adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan (which we can’t afford) has left millions of Moslems around the world hating us (as they do America). It was conjectured by a leading economist recently that Britain is running out of oil and we are now a major gas importer having recently penned a deal to buy Qatari gas for the next 10 years. And I’ll tell you a fact that brought all this home to me. At the height of Britain’s worst winter in 30 years it was stated by a cabinet minister that the country, if temperatures didn’t rise quickly, had exactly five days gas supplies left. As it happened, temperatures did increase, but goodness only knows what would have happened if they stayed below freezing!

So, if someone asked me the question, am I proud to be British, I would have to answer with a consumate ‘NO’. Britain today is a society bursting at the seams with debt, a failing economy and worrying ethnic tensions, which is why I am not planning returning any time soon.

Wanna Be an Exprat? - Best Opportunities

I decided to write this blog for wannabe exprats - not expats - exprats!! There are 101 reasons why you want to make the major decision to leave your native country and work overseas. But I can tell you there is only one and that is MONEY! As a British exprat, it was the only reason I decided to work abroad and that was in April 1980, when I took up a job with ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia. Back in the early 80s, the Middle East was where one could make big money in a relatively short space of time. Yes, you could go work in S.E. Asia - great, but the money wasn't there. So, this is the Autumn of 2010 and I thought I'd research where are the best locations for the budding exprat, and guess what? Well, read on . . .

The Middle East region was recently named the top financial location for expatriates, according to a survey by the HSBC Bank International. That survey ranked Qatar as the second best place for exprats to earn and save money amid the global economic crisis, followed by Saudi Arabia in third place and the UAE ranked fifth. Only Russia scored higher, with a greater number of exprats saying they saved more, had a higher annual salary and a greater disposable income. However, one has to bear in mind that certain industries pay higher wages and rates than others, and when it comes to the Middle East, we are talking oil and construction. If you think you'll make tons of dosh as a financial advisor in the Middle East, then think again - you won't!

So what are the figures and how much can you realistically save? A Process Engineer in the oil and gas industries will enjoy a monthly salary of about $8000.00. However, this can be doubled for short-term contracts and 'rotation' schedules. Senior oil and gas managers can earn $17,000.00 / month with drilling engineers and reservoir engineers basically naming their price. It is not unusual for a senior reservoir engineer to bank $300,000 / year!!

I hear you say, all fine and dandy, but what are the costs of living? Unless you are on a per diem, you will have to basically pay as you go: accommodation, transport and daily costs. Again, depending on your location, this could mean anything up to 25% of your earnings. So take that into consideration.

For further information, I advise you to visit http://www.expatnetwork.com for further information, one of the best exprat sites on the 'net!

Oman - the Money, the Poverty, the Expats

I worked and lived in Muscat for nearly two years (August 2008 - October 2010). Prior to going to Oman, I worked in Qatar and had something like 13 years experience working in the Middle East. I have worked in most GGC countries and have visted the rest. Before I took the job in Oman, several colleagues who had worked there before were extolling the virtues of the country, the people, the feel-good factor that is Oman. So, I felt very comfortable with the prospect of moving there. What made it more accommodating was that I would be staying with an ex-Kuwait colleague, John, who was kind enough to put me up in his apartment in Muscat for free! And that is one of the main reasons why I went there in the first place because I would be working alongside another ex-QatarGas colleague who alerted me to the fact that accommodation in Muscat city is not cheap - he wasn't kidding! I took a drop in salary because I felt that maybe, just maybe, I might be there for several years. So I arrived in Oman, settled into my job as Technical Writer, and I have to admit I loved the place and, yes, the Omani people were some of the nicest, more friendly people one could meet on a day's march.

So why did I leave? In a word - money! During my time in Oman, I experienced a dramatic increase in prices, everything from meals in restaurants, a kilo of potatoes, milk, bread - you name it - every single commodity seemed to be going up in price. Apartment and villa rentals increased dramatically, even clothes. The only thing that didn't seem to go up in price was petrol but that is one commodity in the Middle East that rarely increases. A pint of beer in the various pubs didn't get any cheaper either. So, all in all, life was just getting more expensive in the Sultanate. And for the first time since having worked in the Middle East, I saw local Arab beggars. They mostly sat outside supermarkets and ATMs, hands outstretched, in destitution. I heard many stories of local Omanis such as, “My son is very sick and needs to be taken to a hospital as soon as possible, but I don’t have a car to go to my town, nor do I have the money to get there. Can you at least give me the taxi charge?” Now this is in a country where Porches and Lamborghinis share the highways and byways with Mercedes and exotic 4x4s.

Ali Al Hadi, a driving instructor, said, “The main reason for begging is the widespread unemployment and the large number of laid-off foreigners in the country.”

According to him, these people work more like a group controlled by certain gangs which send children and adults for begging. Sometimes children are permanently disabled and used for begging purposes. He continued, “The community sometimes accepts some cases of begging, but nowadays the interference of gangs and certain institutions in this business has made it totally unacceptable. In the past, beggars were few and far between and the ‘trade’ was practiced in an entirely different manner.”

Is there a solution? Well, in a word - no! Well, there could be and that is down to the massive Indian expat presence in Oman. When I arrived in Muscat almost two years ago, I just couldn't believe the sheer number of Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis from the sub-Continent. In 2002 this amounted to 80% of the total population of the country. Why are there so many from the sub-Continent? Cheap labour is the answer. And during the time I worked there Oman had a mammoth problem with expats from these nations who were 'unemployed aliens'. In other words, after completing their contracts/jobs, they simply hung around in the country staying with friends and relations. And I know for a fact that this was bitterly resented by the local Omanis. Having said that, in mid-2010, the Ministry of Labour had 'rounded up' 13,000 illegal aliens and had instigated a programme of deportations.

Omanis are very proud people, jovial, friendly, helpful and when you make friends with them, you have friends for life. They'd do anything for you. I left Oman with many happy memories but I also left a country that faces huge employment and ethnic problems in the future. The Omanisation programme I studied was bogged down with too much red tape, a dearth of inward investment and, just over the horizon, a depletion of oil reserves. Oman just does not have the oil and gas reserves to support the economy over the next ten years. Diversification is the answer . . .