Sayari, a leading provider of risk intelligence and visibility into complex commercial networks, today announced its formal debut in the Middle East market. The launch follows the successful conclusion of its inaugural UAE events on September 29th and 30th at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai. This two-day series brought together senior government leaders, financial institutions, and corporate executives to discuss the critical role of data and AI in compliance, intelligence, and risk management.
Governments and enterprises are facing immense trade and supply chain complexity, making the need for intelligent risk solutions greater than ever before, especially in crucial trade intersections like the Middle East region. The collaboration with the U.S. diplomatic mission and the Middle East market reinforces the strategic importance of strengthening government and industry partnerships in innovation, security, and economic development.
Sayari’s legacy of providing solutions that empower decision-makers in corporate intelligence, supply chain risk management, and trade over the past 10 years has expanded from Washington, D.C., to Europe, Asia, and now the Middle East, solidifying the company’s position as a transparency leader for the Forbes Global 2000 and governments around the world.
Local First: Building for the Middle East, in the Middle East
Sayari is building its Middle East operations from the ground up with an intentionally local approach, beginning with the United Arab Emirates as its strategic hub. This approach focuses on bringing Sayari’s proven global strategy into alignment with local priorities in the Gulf Region, while empowering those partners to bring their business to global markets.
“Our launch in the UAE is not a copy-paste exercise,” said Peter Dutton, Sayari’s Vice President of EMEA Government. “We are here to invest, to commit, and to build long-term relationships that add value to governments across the region. Sayari’s mission is to deliver lasting value by addressing the region’s unique challenges and opportunities. Sayari has created a local practice in-market, designed to work hand-in-hand with ministries, government agencies, departments, regulators, and law enforcement to co-create solutions.”
“The engagement we saw from the audience is a testament to the criticality of risks the UAE government foresees in corporate structures, trade, and supply chain. The use cases presented showcase the unique value Sayari can bring to the UAE government agencies in mitigating such risks and giving the transparency and visibility to unknown and hidden networks within our platform,” said Mohamed Abboud, Sayari’s Regional Director for the Middle East.
Immediate Market Impact: Strategic Partnerships Through MOUs
As part of its launch, Sayari also announced the signing of a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with major local partners. These partnerships will enable Sayari to serve the UAE market immediately, ensuring that customers can access advanced risk intelligence solutions backed by local expertise and support.
“These MOUs demonstrate our commitment to building deep, trusted partnerships in the UAE from day one,” added Euan Crawford, Sayari’s Director of Growth, EMEA. “By working hand-in-hand with local partners, we will accelerate delivery of our platform and services while aligning with the priorities of the region’s governments and private companies.”
The events underscored Sayari’s focus on providing deep analytical capabilities that go beyond traditional visibility tools. The company’s intelligence feeds into analytical workflows and provides the foundation for complex policy and operational decisions, with a particular focus on sanctions compliance, due diligence, and identifying vulnerabilities in critical supply chains.
Sayari’s expansion also includes establishing a local community of analysts, investigators, and compliance professionals who will leverage Sayari’s platform to strengthen regional capabilities.
“Risk intelligence is no longer optional – it is essential for sustainable growth and trusted partnerships,” added Abboud. “We want to equip regional leaders with the tools and networks they need to stay ahead of risks, sanctions, and compliance challenges.”
