Akil Management Services, a consultancy firm established in Bahrain Financial Harbour to help Western companies, particularly Dutch ones, do business in the Middle East, is confident it can serve as an effective bridge for companies on both sides.

Dutchman Erik Wellen, founder of Akil, is well-acquainted with Bahrain which he had been visiting for over a decade until starting the company at the beginning of 2011. Wellen has an IT background but his area of interest goes beyond that field and into oil and gas, power plants, construction and transportation, among other things.

“We provide sales and marketing services for companies from the Western world with a special focus on the Netherlands as there are international firms in that country with world-class facilities and products and who are not yet active in this region,” said Wellen.

“We’re helping them on their initial regional market launch finding their first customers and strong local regional partners building on our strong regional network created over 12 years. Furthermore we work closely with the Netherlands consulate in Bahrain as we are jointly organising the Holland Pavilion at this year’s Gulf Industry Fair. On the other hand, we’re able to distribute the products of Middle Eastern companies in Europe, North America and other regions.

“We call ourselves a boutique consultancy firm and solely work with well-established, international companies offering high-value, innovative products, solutions and services.”

Akil’s two areas of prime focus are IT and industries comprising the oil and gas, energy and industrial construction segments. The company also has a recruitment and training arm, an events division and financial advisory services when it comes to mergers & acquisitions and other investment activities. The company is currently helping large Dutch companies such as Imtech and VDL get work on projects and partnerships.

“In this part of the world, there’s much business and investment, and companies are focusing on growth and expansion, whereas in the West you see markets declining due to government spending cuts and markets in decline.

Wellen: linkman for Western firms

“As a result of this, you also see many companies including ones in the Netherlands trying to broaden their horizons and are considering tapping into the booming Middle East market, observes Wellen. “As we say, sometimes, ‘Get out of your comfort zone, come to the Middle East’ ”

Some of the companies represented by Akil have booked slots in Gulf Industry Fair taking place in mid-January in Bahrain as part of the Holland Pavilion.

“Shortly after Akil was established, the Bahrain unrest began and we lost business to an extent. By the end of 2011 it picked up,” recalled Wellen. “Currently we see the markets as very stable, growing even and predicting high spendings for 2013 and beyond across various segments.”

“Bahrain is a very good place to use as a hub to tap into the Middle East market. We selected Gulf Industry Fair because it is a leading expo for the Middle East.”

He highlights the critical importance of networking. “It is important for people to realise that business in this region is done in a different way. You don’t deal with a company, you deal with a person. Reputation and networking are therefore key.”

Akil’s motto is “We take it personal.” Wellen’s IT background helped him identify business opportunities in the field for his clients in the region. The company has managed to provide smartcard solutions to companies in Saudi Arabia through Bell ID.

Akil is also working hard in a variety of other fields. “”We have signed up with very strong regional partners and are now pre-qualifying and bidding for major industrial and oil and gas projects,” Wellen says. “More news to follow soon as we expect to announce our first wins during the course of 2013.”

He announced that Akil would open soon a second Bahrain office at Amwaj Islands, testifying to growth.