Press Room

AAI in the News

Business Links with Arab Nations 'Vital'

By Robert Smith
Gulf Daily News
Posted on Tuesday December 14, 2004

MANAMA- Forty percent of Americans are less likely to do business with a Muslim company than a non-Muslim company, according to a study conducted last month by New York-based Zogby International. Thirty-three pc of those questioned said they were more likely to do business with a Muslim company, while the remainder were not sure.

The results are based on a survey of 1,204 American adults – chosen at random from across the US between November 16 and 19.

They also show that 36% of Americans have an unfavorable impression of Arabs, while 43% have an unfavorable impression of Islam.

Twenty-five pc of those questioned said doing business with Arab nations was contrary to US interests, while 64% believed it was important to both the economic and security interests of the US. Eleven pc were not sure.

Meanwhile, the Middle East came fifth out of six regions that Americans want to do business in – ahead of Central Asia, but behind Latin America, Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

Results of the study were revealed in Bahrain yesterday by Arab American Institute (AAI) founder Dr James Zogby.

He was speaking at the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) 2004, which concluded yesterday at the Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gulf Hotel.

Dr Zogby, who works to promote Arab American interests in the US and advised presidential candidate John Kerry, says there has been a major shift in American perceptions of the Arab world since September 11, 2001.

He says it was up to the people in this region to change those negative perceptions, which have largely been acquired through the media.

“Nineteen people [the September 11 hijackers] define an entire nation,” said Dr Zogby yesterday.

“Not just Saudi Arabia, but Arabs in general.

“But there was no counter-image to show that Arabs are not all like that.”

Dr Zogby said the FTA between Bahrain and the US would benefit both countries – by opening up the country to US business interests and standardising industries here.

However, he said it could be “dangerous” if the entire Bahrain population was not aware of what is taking place.

“The point is the degree to which this agreement has meaning,” Dr Zogby told the GDN.

“The degree to which it is sustainable and supportable by public opinion.

“At the end of the equation, an elite discourse out of sync with the public discourse is dangerous because it creates divisions.”

He also said it is important for countries like Bahrain to project a brighter image of themselves in the US.

“When we polled about this region we found that 60pc to 70% of Americans had no idea that it existed,” he said.

“Only one to two pc of Americans could find it on the map.

“Only 11% before the war could find Iraq on the map.”