An On-the-Ground Consultancy, Not a Remote Advisory Firm
Meena Business Consultancy Services F.Z.C. was founded in 2022 in the Ajman Free Zone, United Arab Emirates (Free Zone License No. 31732), around a simple idea: companies entering emerging markets need one accountable, on-the-ground partner, not a patchwork of remote advisers who have never set foot in the market they're advising on.
Physically Present, Not Remote
Every market we cover is a market we are physically present in.
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Markets with a working presence
We started with a small founding team of specialists in financial services, legal consulting, market research and business-partner search, based in the UAE. From that base, we have grown into a one-stop shop with a working presence across the EU, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar: the markets where our clients most needed someone already on the ground, not a name on a call.
That is still what distinguishes Meena today. Every market we cover is a market we are physically present in. We are a team of market-access specialists, entrepreneurs and former government trade and investment promotion officers.
Led by Two Founders, Two Markets, One Mission
Nisrin Khalil and Kevin Steckel, Managing Directors and Co-Founders.
Nisrin Khalil
Nisrin brings nearly 20 years of experience across the EU, Iraq, Pakistan and the GCC to the company she founded in 2022. Her career took her from researching market-entry strategies at Mercedes-Benz Japan, to establishing global project coordination at Minebea Intec, to leading the German Liaison Office (AHK) in Iraq for nearly six years, shaping trade policy and facilitating investment between Germany and Iraq at the highest levels. She also served for years as Country Representative for Iraq and Pakistan at BVMW, Germany's largest SME association, representing and connecting over 30,000 member companies.
Certified PMP®
Former Director, German Liaison Office (AHK) Iraq.
20
Years across the EU, Iraq, Pakistan & the GCC
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Certified Project Management Professional (PMP®)
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Former Director, German Liaison Office (AHK) Iraq
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Served as BVMW Country Representative for Iraq & Pakistan
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Speaks six languages
Kevin Steckel
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Serial entrepreneur
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BVMW Country Representative for Saudi Arabia
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15+ years building and scaling Gulf businesses
Kevin leads Meena's Saudi Arabia operations, connecting German SMEs with one of the world's most ambitious economies and helping companies align with Vision 2030 across technology, renewable energy and infrastructure. He served as BVMW Country Representative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and outside Meena he founded Brilliant Minds Events, now a leading part-time staffing provider across Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He brings over 15 years of hands-on experience building and scaling businesses across the Gulf.
BVMW Country Representative
For the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
15+
Years building and scaling Gulf businesses
That combination of diplomatic experience, commercial dealmaking, and two personal, on-the-ground networks spanning Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is why global names like ABB Energy and Danone Iraq have relied on Meena's founders directly, not just on a company name, to navigate their market entry and expansion in the region.
A Multidisciplinary, Multilingual Team
Local expertise, global vision
Beyond our two founders, Meena's global team covers government relations, client success, finance and operations, working directly out of our offices and networks across the EU, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar:
Recognition That Backs Up the Track Record
Independently verifiable, not self-declared
Our founders' BVMW and AHK backgrounds sit alongside formal, checkable recognition of the company itself:
Department for Business & Trade
Listed provider in the UK government’s Export Support Directory.
BAFA
Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control.
Consultancy No. 225330
Switzerland Global Enterprise
Listed on the official Expert Directory.
Listing No. 22399
BVMW Network
Part of a 30,000+ member network connecting German SMEs globally.
Every one of these is a public listing you can check yourself. We link to each official register on the homepage rather than asking you to take our word
What Drives Us
Turning market complexity into a manageable plan
Entering a market like Iraq, Saudi Arabia or Pakistan involves real complexity: regulation, local business culture, partnership structures and requirements that don't always translate cleanly from a European or international playbook. Our commitment is to sit inside that complexity with you, on the ground, rather than hand over a report and step back.
We don't just provide information. We help you understand the market, identify the right opportunities, build the right connections, and take the next concrete step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meena is a cross-border market-entry consultancy founded in 2022 and licensed in the Ajman Free Zone, UAE (License No. 31732), led by Managing Directors & Co-Founders Nisrin Khalil and Kevin Steckel, with an on-the-ground team and presence across the EU, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Pakistan.
Meena has a physical, working presence across the EU, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Pakistan, connecting companies trading between these markets and Europe.
Meena is a listed provider in the UK Department for Business & Trade's Export Support Directory, holds German BAFA Consultancy No. 225330, is listed on the Switzerland Global Enterprise Expert Directory (Listing No. 22399), and is part of the 30,000+ member BVMW network.
Meena is led by two Managing Directors & Co-Founders. Nisrin Khalil brings nearly 20 years of experience across the EU, Iraq, Pakistan and the GCC, is a certified PMP®, a former Director of the German Liaison Office (AHK) in Iraq, and a former BVMW Country Representative for Iraq and Pakistan. Kevin Steckel brings 15+ years of experience building and scaling Gulf businesses, and is a current BVMW Country Representative for Saudi Arabia.
BVMW (Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft) is Germany's largest association for small and medium-sized enterprises, representing over 30,000 member companies with over 85 offices across the globe. Nisrin Khalil served as Country Representative for Iraq and Pakistan, and Kevin Steckel is currently serving as representative for Saudi Arabia, connecting BVMW's German SME network with business and government contacts in each country.
Ready to Work With the Team on the Ground?
Book a free consultation with a senior adviser, an honest read of your opportunity, no obligation.
Or email management@meenasonline.com
