Having spearheaded exports of mobile phones and accessories worth $23M+ annually and advised businesses on international expansion, here's the practical approach for GCC market entry:
1. Start With the Right Trade Platforms

Dubai Trade Portal — official and verified buyers only
Alibaba Global — filter GCC buyers specifically, check transaction history
India EXIM Bank database — lists verified importers by country and category

2. Target the Right Cities First
Don't target GCC broadly — focus specifically:

Dubai — largest import hub, re-exports to entire GCC
Riyadh — largest end consumer market in Saudi
Start with Dubai. One good Dubai distributor covers UAE + often Oman and Bahrain

3. Use Government Resources — Most Manufacturers Ignore This

FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations) — free buyer-matching service
India Trade Promotion Organisation — organises GCC trade fairs annually
APEDA / EPC — sector specific export councils connect you with verified buyers

4. Attend One Trade Fair in Dubai

Gulfood for food manufacturers
GITEX for electronics
Arab Health for pharma/medical now known as World Health Expo
One trip to Dubai = 50+ verified buyer meetings

5. Key Things GCC Buyers Want

GST and IEC registration — mandatory
Consistent quality certification — ISO, BIS, FSSAI depending on category
Minimum 6 month supply guarantee before they commit
Competitive pricing vs Chinese alternatives — be realistic

One reliable GCC buyer can transform your entire export business — quality and consistency is what keeps them.