This project involved a joint Venture between a UK and United Arab Emirates companies for a new enterprise in Aby Dhabi which required understanding of local laws, cultural sensitivities, the treatment of the Intellectual Property and, of course, the deployment of management and other resources, funding and division of net income. The first task was to establish the vision and objective which went beyond the initial project and translate it into a Memorandum of understanding to set the framework for the subsequent negotiations, time line, and formal Agreement. While some aspects were reasonably straightforward, such as licences, royalty payments and leases, other areas require a different focus around governance, management structures, and exit strategy. There were also sensitivities around Corporate Social Responsibility matters and the differing approaches to areas such as employment and safety, and local law. The Agreement was ready for execution within the planned timetable of four months.