Behind DUKAAT

“The idea for DUKAAT grew out of my vision as an entrepreneur who combines academic knowledge with practical experience. Through my studies in business administration, specialising in finance and investment, and my experience in education, trade and services, I became convinced that business growth begins with clear knowledge, trusted relationships, and the ability to turn opportunities into practical steps.

From that conviction came my vision of founding DUKAAT: a business community that connects companies and entrepreneurs between the Netherlands and the Arab world, and brings training, the exchange of experience, partnership-building and the development of commercial and investment opportunities together in one ecosystem.

My ambition is that everyone who joins DUKAAT finds knowledge that develops their abilities, a connection that widens their horizons, and a space in which to share their experience and create value for others.”

— Ghassan Salma, Founder and Entrepreneur

MBA, specialising in Finance and Investment | Entrepreneur in education, trade and services

A good introduction fails on the paperwork more often than on the people. Two companies can like each other, agree on a price and still lose the deal to a question nobody asked in time: which entity signs, under which law, and who carries the tax and customs cost when the goods cross the border.

My background is Dutch fiscal law, and my role at DUKAAT is an advisory one. I bring practical experience with contracts, tax and customs to the table, so that the right questions are asked in time: what the contract actually says, where the tax and customs questions lie, whether the payment terms are clear before anything ships, and whether the other party is who they say they are.

That experience helps members see a deal more clearly. It is advice, not a guarantee, and it does not replace a member’s own advisers — the decision and the responsibility stay with the member. What it does is make the handshake worth something.

— Ayman Ebdul, Founder · Fiscal law