I was in Dubai about 6 weeks ago, visiting some old college roommates. While there, I met a guy who had started a tech company in Bahrain, and does work in Qat

I was in Dubai about 6 weeks ago, visiting some old college roommates. While there, I met a guy who had started a tech company in Bahrain, and does work in Qatar and Dubai. Pros: Lots of money down there, probably too much (they're often desperate to spend it and want "the best" regardless of price), low (or no) tax rates. Cons: The obvious friction of being a foreigner, frequent need for bribes, incompetence due to lack of economic pressure (easy to fuck up if you have tons of oil money, and don't need to worry about it), lack of local skilled labor (you have to bring them in). I also stopped by the CMU campus in Doha (I'm an alum of the Pittsburgh campus). They're doing some good stuff there, and there is potential. One big surprise was the high percentage of women in the program (above 50%).