Culture of business dealings
Subchapters:
- Introduction
- Addressing
- Business Meeting
- Communication
- Recommendations
- Public holidays
Introduction
Guinea is a predominantly Muslim country with a French social heritage. Official contacts between people are generally very polite and foreigners (and even more foreigners) are shown respect.
As elsewhere in West Africa, much attention is paid to politeness. A short answer to the greeting (“ça va”) is sufficient, but Guineans consider it more helpful not only to give a longer, more detailed answer, but also to ask a follow-up question (family, health, studies/work…/…et la famille, la santé, le travail/ les études…?). Every conversation begins with a question, even in writing (e-mails, letters).
Addressing
Establishing a relationship with a local reliable partner (importer, distributor, representative) with good contacts and acquaintances is a basic condition for successful business in the Republic of Guinea. As in neighboring countries, personal presence on the spot, or a reciprocal visit to the Czech Republic, is important. Long-term personal relationships and connections are an important part of doing business in a country.
If you are interested in further information, we recommend contacting the honorary consul of the Czech Republic in Guinea-Conakry, viz. chapter 6 Contacts.
- Programingplease: Yearbook 2010 of nation Guinea, including population, politics, and abbreviations.
Business meeting
Business negotiations take place in a standard way. Greeting (eating, exchanging money, etc.) is permissible only with the right hand in this Muslim country.
Regional peculiarities include not only flexibility in the perception of time (when planning a business meeting, tardiness must be taken into account).
When dealing with business (as well as other) matters at the authorities, you have to reckon with a high degree of bureaucracy and corruption. The importance of acquaintances and personal contacts is essential in closing deals.
Business cards in French and with a local mobile number will give you credit.
Donations are expected and welcome. The “better” the gift, the more you give weight to the action and show respect to your partner.
Guineans are extremely hospitable people. In principle, you cannot refuse an invitation to your home (max. postpone the invitation for later). It often happens that guests arrive even without an invitation (an unexpected visit is not considered impolite). Many taboos are associated with food (e.g. consumption while walking is considered inappropriate). A visitor who comes to the house during a meal is automatically invited to the table. Meals are often served and eaten from communal bowls with spoons. In larger families, men eat from one common vessel, women from another.
A feast is expected on all important social occasions, the host often does not skimp on the food and the number of invitees is usually high.
Dress is either traditional or European (a suit with a tie is always desirable for meetings). Tattoos or piercings are not considered adornment in the country (it is recommended to cover them during your stay). Women are not allowed to reveal more sensitive parts (minimum length of skirts below the knees), but head covering is not required.
Communication
The official language in Guinea is French, knowledge of other world languages (English) is low.
Communication starts from a broad point, the wording is flowery and thus lengthy. Visit Allunitconverters for more information about Guinea culture and traditions.
The best way of communication is a face-to-face meeting, but phone calls and e-mails are also common. The country continues to experience frequent power outages as well as mobile signal outages (many Guineans therefore have multiple SIM cards from different operators).
LGBT rights are a communication taboo and you should avoid openly criticizing the military, the president and the government.
Recommendation
Moderate consumption of alcohol is relatively tolerated.
Conversely, homosexuality and drugs are criminal in the country. Criminal penalties are severe and conditions in local correctional facilities are deterrent, pre-trial detention can last for months, and the judiciary is fraught with corruption.
Public Holidays
Guinea has a relatively abundant number of public holidays with a fixed date:
January 1 – New Year
April 3 – Establishment of the 2nd Republic
April 5 – Easter Monday
May 1 – Labor Day
May 25 – Africa Day
August 15 – Ascension
Day October 2 – Independence Day
November 1 – All Souls’
Day December – Christmas
Muslim holidays with a floating date:
May 10 – Lailatoul Qadr (Night of Destiny)
May 13 – Korité (Aid-el-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan)
July 20 – Tabaski (Aid-el-Adha or Aid-el-Kebir, the Feast of the Sacrifice)
18 October – Maouloud (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday)
Contacts
Subchapters:
- Contacts to Czech embassies in the territory
- Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firefighters, information lines, etc.)
- Important Internet links and contacts
Contacts at the embassies of the Czech Republic in the territory
Ambassade de la République tchèque au Sénégal Territorial jurisdiction: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea
37, rue Jacques Bugnicourt
BP 6474 Dakar – Plateau, Sénégal
Tel.: +221 338 214 576
Fax: +221 338 214 578
E-mail: dakar@embassy.mzv.cz
Note: The Embassy shares premises with the Embassy of the Netherlands
. Hours of operation: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (time difference -2h during summer time, -1h during winter time)
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Guinea
Agence OKB, KA 028
Almamya, Kaloum, Conakry, BP 2520
Tel.: +224 45 37 99, +224 30 43 53 42, +224 30 42 11 06
Fax: +224 30 43 53 42, +224 30 43 53 42
Honorary consul: MUDr. Hasmia Dio
Mobile: + 224 62 25 52 262,+224 60 34 33 77, +224 64 29 28 65
E-mail: hasmioudia@gmail.com, conakry@honorary.mzv.cz
Opening hours: Tue and Thu 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.:00 (time shift -2h during summer time, -1h during winter time)
Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firemen, information lines, etc.)
Telephone service is not entirely reliable in Guinea, even for emergency services. Residents routinely use multiple SIM cards from different operators to ensure sufficient signal.
Emergency-National Gendarmerie: 122
Firefighters: 18
Police: 117
Gendarmerie: 118
Coast Guard: 19
Central Police Commissariat in Conakry-Kaloum: +224 30 45 17 97
Clinic Pasteur: +224 30 43 00 74 (75, 76)
Clinic Ambroise Paré: +224 30 41 13 68 (+224 63 35 10 10)
Pediatric Clinic: +224 60 21 73 25 (+224 60 21 17 81, + 224 60 21 21 90)
Important web links and contacts
https://gouvernement.gov.gn
https://ccitunis.org.tn › sihaco
https://www.bcrg-guinee.org