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It is no longer news that business investors from around the world look at entering foreign markets in order to expand their local business operations or diversify their investments and establish new operations in the international market.

Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial and growing companies consider international expansion as a marketing and growth strategy.

If you have been successful in your business for some time and you have already mastered everything about running a business, overseas expansion may just be the logical next move you have to make.

On the flip side, for a majority of others, just having an overseas registered company and business address makes more sense to them than moving over to these foreign countries to establish a brick-and-mortar office.

Whichever the case is, there are at least 7 reasons entrepreneurs incorporate an overseas company, subsidiary or a representative office.

1. EXPANSION. About 95% of the world’s consumer’s reside outside Nigeria. Entrepreneurs whose vision and target market is a global one would consider to enter new markets abroad thus increasing their company’s overall market share and growth potentials.

2. POSSIBLE UNTAPPED MARKET. The possibility of an untapped market in foreign jurisdictions may motivate a Nigerian entrepreneur to incorporate an overseas company, subsidiary or representative office of his/her local company. Nigerian entrepreneurs who produce and package local foodstuffs for sale abroad fall into this category.

3. PROXIMITY TO INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS/CUSTOMERS. Truth be told, the Internet hs done enough to bring businesses closer to buyers. However, for some reasons, several business transactions may still warrant a traditional business presence in the city or country of operation. An overseas office of a local company need not be that big, and may be a home business address, a paid virtual office, or a small/liaison office just for the sake of getting customer feedback and linking back to the Nigerian office.

4. CORPORATE IMAGE. In order to boost their corporate image in the eyes of customers, suppliers, investors and businesses, some entrepreneurs just register an overseas subsidiary of their Nigerian company. This gives their target audience an impression that they are a company with international networks. In situations like this, the “international entrepreneur” need not set up a brick-and-mortar office abroad, he/she only pays for a virtual registered office in such country plus a mailing and telephone forwarding service.

5. COMPETITION. The fact that competing businesses or brands are entering the overseas market and are doing well motivates entrepreneurs in similar businesses to follow suit.

6. INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT. There are quite a number of international banking options available to companies registered in overseas jurisdictions – whether you are currently established in the overseas country or operating the overseas company from Nigeria. Having a corporate checking account abroad makes international payment much more easier by direct deposits, cheque or international wire transfers.

7. MIGRATION. Entrepreneurs considering a migration or move to an overseas country may incorporate a company in the destination country pending the time of their travel.

The United Kingdom, for instance, grants an Entrepreneur Visa to persons outside the European Union to gain entry to the UK for business reasons.

The initial visa will give you 3 years in the UK; and if during that 3 years you can show that you met certain criteria, you can then apply for a further 2 years extension visa. Following the 5 years, you’ll have the option of applying for permanent residency in the UK.

Many people seem to have the wrong image of schools in the UAE with many assuming they are predominantly Islamic-based and tend to “cold shoulder the West”. This is very much not the case as schools in the UAE are more open, more accessible and offer one of the highest levels of education in the whole world.

Investment in UAE schools

Despite the fact that the UAE is predominantly connected with oil and other natural resources many people seem to overlook the fact that the UAE authorities have invested billions upon billions of dollars into the local education system. The area now has some of the latest technology, the latest education facilities with the latest education techniques very prominent across the education system – which continues to attract overseas interest.

Teaching English in UAE schools

While in some areas of the UAE education system there has been a battle between the more traditional and the modern politicians in the region, the area has embraced English as a general teaching language. This has proved to be very beneficial not only for those moving to the UAE from the UK for employment but also those bringing families to the area and also requiring education facilities. This has helped many of those expats moving to the region to settle quicker thereby enabling them to concentrate on other areas of their new life.

Access to UAE schools

Anybody who is resident in the UAE is eligible for inclusion in any of the state run schools in the region and those who do not fit the residency criteria can pay to attend local education facilities. There are also a number of international schools in the region, an area which is obviously targeted towards the expat market and which continues to grow. However, the education ministry in the UAE plays a very important and a very hands-on role in the area of education as a whole, something which is adding to “life in the UAE”.

Higher education in the UAE

It will come as no surprise to learn that there are various overseas universities prominent in the UAE with the American University opening its doors to Dubai back in 1995. The ongoing success of the American University in Dubai has prompted a whole array of other overseas education facilities to look at branching out into the UAE. The overall level of education in the UAE, both in state run and private education facilities, is excellent and the area has one of the highest literacy rates in the world.

Conclusion

Slowly but surely it is becoming more and more apparent that the various rulers of the UAE have invested very wisely in a whole range of different sectors and areas of the region. However, a massive 25% of federal government spending is targeted towards the education sector, something which is continually bringing benefits to the region. When moving to the UAE from any area of the world you will have many things to consider but the very fact that high-quality education is available on your doorstep for your family is very much welcome.

You must meet several qualifying criteria set for being medically fit to enter the UAE. The most important aspect is that the criteria for being medically fit keeps changing and evolving. In most cases, it depends on the type of Dubai visa you need. The Dubai health authority has set certain medical tests that you must pass to receive medical certificate for a visa. There are certain medical tests that are standard for all types of employment visas, such as:

• Blood test and X-ray for HIV and/or AIDS
• Hepatitis B
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Leprosy
• Syphilis
• Pregnancy

You will need to do these tests at the approved medical centre only. Yet, it is easier than you think. There are several websites that identify local hospitals that are authorized to conduct these medical tests by the Dubai health authority. Find the centre in your region. Dubai health authority has set certain medical tests that you must pass to receive medical certificate for a visa. Then, based on the type of employment visa you want, you will be asked to conduct certain tests. The list above is comprehensive enough for all employment visas as it has enlisted all the deportable diseases. But, the tests and fees are based on the job description and stages of visas. Here are the most common forms:

• New Dubai Employment visa
• Employment Visa renewal
• New visa and visa renewal for domestic help (maid)
• Other new visas
• Other visa renewal

When you are scheduled for a Dubai medical for getting a visa, you will need to carry a few important documents along with you. These standard documents are:

• Valid passport
• Passport size photographs
• Health card (in applicable cases only)
• If you are a new employee, you must carry the employment offer letter or contract papers.
• Foe visa renewals, you must carry emirates ID, labour card or any other government issued photo ID.

Here is the quick step-by-step process for new visa applicants.

• Confirm the medical tests with your visa processing agency.
• Find the Dubai health authority approved hospital or service online.
• Enter your visa application details.
• Book the time for your test.
• Pay for all the tests. For most applicants, this amount is not small.
• Show up at centre with all the necessary documentation
• Undergo the medical tests.
• Collect the medical certificate for Dubai, if you pass the tests.

Clear these tests and you get one step closer to Dubai visa.

In case you are a foreigner and moving to Saudi Arabia to get a new job, this guide will present to you the critical aspects of preparing your move to popular expat cities, such as Riyadh. About 70% of workers in popular expat cities like Riyadh are foreign nationals. Most Saudi nationals are hired in the government sector, and almost 90% of employees in the private sector are foreigners.

Types of Jobs

Because of great competitive salaries and working conditions, many individuals from abroad are keen on moving and working in Riyadh. With its wealth, immense oil reserves and good job openings for expats in the fields of oil drilling, natural gas, and mining, Saudi Arabia is one of the most attractive nations for foreign job seekers. Other significant industries in Riyadh that employ a large number of expats are real estate, construction and education.

There is regularly a shortage of local skilled workers for certain occupations in Riyadh. Some of these jobs and occupations have a high demand for foreign workers and are sectors in which expats get jobs easily.

Construction Workers

The construction and building industry are one of the quickest developing ones in Saudi Arabia. So, there is a steadily high demand for construction workers

Engineers

There is a long-term absence of locals for engineering-related occupations. So, expats have an extraordinary opportunity to find a new job in this industry.

Maintenance Workers

They are typically employed by oil companies and oil drilling equipment companies.

Medical attendants

Employments in the healthcare sector are permanently considered as shortage occupations in Saudi Arabia. There is a high demand for emergency clinics and medical centers for clinical staff.

Interpreters

Foreign interpreters usually are being hired by big oil-exporting companies in Saudi Arabia.

The normal working week in Riyadh is Sunday to Thursday, with certain stores and workplaces open for a couple of hours on a Friday, rarely on a Saturday. The average work hours of each week are 48 hours, 30 hours during Ramadan, for Muslim employees.

How to get a Work Visa

In order to work temporarily in Saudi Arabia, foreigners need to acquire a Saudi impermanent work visa before departure. A work visa and a valid passport are required to work in Saudi Arabia. The span of the work visa relies upon the term referenced by the supporting organization in the job invitation letter. It is suggested that a work visa candidate ask correspondent in Saudi Arabia for the longest validity possible.

Required documents to get Saudi work visa are valid passport(without Israeli stamps), 2 passport size photographs, visa application, payment receipt, a letter of invitation from the Saudi employer legalized by the Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce, work permit(employer in Saudi Arabia gets this for you), medical certificate and blood test not older than a quarter of a year, and ID card.

The Takeaway

Getting a job in a new country can be a stressful experience. Knowing where to search for and what things to consider beforehand will make this process much efficient and hassle free.

A Moving Walkway, also called Moving Sidewalk, is a walkalator or revelator used to transport people over short to medium distances across a horizontal or slightly inclined plane, unlike an escalator that moves vertically inclined. Several other terms like autowalk, flatalator, horizontalator, movator or movealator are also used to refer to the Moving Sidewalk.

First put in use in 1983 at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, it was in the shape of a loop that ran down the length of walkway from the lakefront pier to the casino ahead. The walkway had two different sections, one where people could just stand or keep walking slightly ahead and the other where they could be seated. In 1900, a similar moving walkway was presented at the Paris Exposition Universelle.

The first commercial use of a walkway was proposed by a New York City firm, The Beeler Organization in 1924 for a Continuous Transit System for Atlanta, roughly on the lines of the Paris system using a linear induction motor, but the project did not materialize.

The credit for the first commercial moving sidewalk or walkway went to Goodyear, Inc., the company that built the “Speedwalk” inside the Hudson & Manhattan Railroad Erie Station in Jersey City in 1954. It covered a distance of 277ft and moved up a 10 percent gradient at the speed of 2.4 kms/hr.

In 1958, Love Field airport in Dallas, Texas got the distinction of being the first airport to have the moving walkway installed.

Walkway Designs

There are two basic styles of moving walkways.

1. Pallet type – in this type, a series of flat metal surfaces conjoin together to form a moving walkway, similar to that of escalators. While most walkways are fitted with metal surfaces, some have rubber to provide extra traction.

2. Moving belt – this type features rubber walking surfaces or metal belts fitted over metal rollers that move along; the speed determines whether the surface feels solid or bouncy.

Both types of walkways are fitted with moving handrails for passenger safety.

High-speed walkways

Between the 1970s and early 2000s, several designs and patents were tested for high-speed walkways at various locations around the world. However, while some provided the advantage of transporting passengers over distances in quick time, the reliability, safety and comfort factors were always in question, indicating that a lot more had to be done before they could become commercially viable and a safe mode of transport.

Inclined moving walkways

Several high-end super markets, malls and multiplexes have installed incline moving walkways to transport people from one floor to another. Especially in supermarkets and stores that have multiple floors and where people use trolleys to handle purchases, these are very useful as they can transport the shopping carts and trolleys as well. They are similar in operation to an escalator except that there are no steps going up or down only a sloped incline with grooves on the ramp that prevents wheeled items like carts and trolleys from rolling away.

Applications of moving walkways

Airports, Museums, Public Transport, Theatres, Theme Parks, Zoos and some heavily populated urban cities are some areas where the application of moving walkways will serve the public well.