This article discusses the countries of the Middle East in the system of international business. First of all, the political and economic situation of the region is evaluated in retrospect, and the current situation in the region is also evaluated. The key features of the development of the countries of the region, as well as problems, are highlighted. Further, in order to assess the conduct of business in the countries of the region, an analysis is made of the position of the countries of the Near and Middle East in the Doing Business Report by years and based on its results, a PEST analysis of the Russian company deciding on entering the UAE market is carried out.