Since it's a good friend of a chum, I would say you could ask just about anything and hope they are honest and forthright in their response to you. I would start by telling them that I am a shareholder of a publicly traded company and wondered if you have any knowledge of their existence in the Dubai region. More specifically, do you know of any contact /negotiations/deals/contracts between Sulja Bros. Building Supplies and Emaar? A yes or no or I do not know answer would be all I would care to hear. No details required. IMO