Abu dhabi: The First UAE-Russia Business Forum, a significant event on the business calendar of both nations, commenced today in Dubai.
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum is organized by the Russia-UAE Business Council (RUBC) in collaboration with the Roscongress Foundation, with support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and Marathon Investment Group.
The forum aims to unite leaders from major companies and investment funds in Russia and the UAE, pertinent ministries, and technology startups. This event is part of the 12th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russia-UAE Commission on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation, highlighting the growing economic ties between the two countries. In recent years, trade turnover has seen a significant increase, expanding into various industries such as manufacturing, transportation, logistics, agriculture, digital technologies, healthcare, and investment.
The cooperation between the two nations is evolving in both traditional and innovative sectors, necessitating new collaboration mechanisms. A key highlight of the forum is the plenary session titled "Architecture of Long-Term Growth: New Opportunities for Both Countries." Alexander Vinokurov, Chairman of the Russia-UAE Business Council, will introduce the Council's strategy and tools to unlock the economic and business potential of Russia and the UAE.
Prominent figures participating in the plenary session include Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, board member and head of CIB of VTB Bank Vitaly Sergeychuk, CEO of Gazprom-Media Holding Alexander Zharov, and President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Sergey Katyrin.
The forum's panel discussions will begin with the session "Russia-UAE Innovation Track: A New Era of Technological Partnership." Participants include Sergey Zakharov, Partner of Marathon Investment Group; Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF); Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah; Nabil Arnous, CCO of Innovation City; Dmitry Markov, CEO of VisionLabs; Alexey Yuzhakov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Promobot; Vyacheslav Kubaev, CEO of Magnit Tech and CIO of Magnit; and Anastasia Stolkova, Director of the RK-Medicine Foundation.
This session will mark the launch of the first accelerator program aimed at creating a comprehensive growth ecosystem for Russian tech companies and startups in the UAE. Additionally, the development of investment cooperation between strategic investors and specialized funds will be discussed in a dedicated session hosted by Investment Majlis, Strategic Co-Investment Dialogue, which aims to foster meaningful dialogue and present new tools for project support. This session will also highlight projects and mechanisms for establishing a Russia-UAE investment platform.
The business program will culminate with a panel discussion titled "Russia and the UAE: Shaping the Ecosystem of Trade and Logistics of the Future." Key speakers include Sergey Sidorov, Deputy General Director, Government, International and Public Relations at PJSC DVMP (FESCO); Ramy Jallad, CEO of RAKEZ; Khalid Al Marzooqi, Vice-President - International Business Development, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD); Vladislav Bakhtenko, CEO of Grand Trade; Nadeem Sultan, Senior Vice President, Freighters and Cargo Planning, Emirates Airlines; Raj Jit Singh Wallia, CEO and MD, Central Asia, DP World; and Vladislav Shik, Deputy CEO for Managing the Trading Division, JSC Akron Holding.
These discussions will focus on developing bilateral export corridors and logistics routes, diversifying trade flows, and creating sustainable multimodal solutions to benefit both nations.