Clyde & Co has become the latest international law firm to move its Middle East regional headquarters from Dubai to Saudi Arabia, amid a tussle for dominance between the Gulf Cooperation Council’s two leading economies.
Saudi Arabia’s regional headquarters (RHQ) programme, which was originally announced in 2021, came into force on January 1. It has been interpreted in various ways—often as a throwing down of the gauntlet to Dubai’s regional dominance—but many believe the innovative drive of the UAE business hub means it will remain in pole position for some years to come.
