Dubai Hosts Inaugural UAE–Russia Business Forum, Paving Path for Long-Term Economic Cooperation
The First UAE–Russia Business Forum commenced today in Dubai, marking a significant step forward in strengthening business ties between the two countries. Set to become an annual event, the forum is organised by the Russia–UAE Business Council (RUBC) in partnership with the Roscongress Foundation, and backed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation as well as Marathon Investment Group.
The event has gathered leaders of major companies, investment funds, key stakeholders from relevant ministries, and pioneering technology startups from both nations. This aligns with the agenda of the 12th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russia–UAE Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation, underscoring a shared commitment to deepen collaboration.
In recent years, trade turnover between Russia and the UAE has expanded substantially, with joint projects emerging across diverse sectors including manufacturing, transportation, logistics, agriculture, digital technologies, healthcare, and investment. The focus of cooperation has grown beyond traditional sectors, incorporating innovative fields that necessitate new collaborative mechanisms.
The forum’s centerpiece is a plenary session entitled “Architecture of Long-Term Growth: New Opportunities for Both Countries”. Here, Alexander Vinokurov, Chairman of the Russia–UAE Business Council, is set to outline the Council’s strategy and highlight effective instruments for unleashing the economic and business potential of both countries.
Distinguished participants in the 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; DP World Group Chairman & CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem; Vitaly Sergeychuk (board member, head of CIB of VTB Bank); Alexander Zharov (CEO of Gazprom-Media Holding); and Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.
Panel discussions at the forum will open with “Russia–UAE Innovation Track: A New Era of Technological Partnership”, featuring influential voices such as Sergey Zakharov (Partner, Marathon Investment Group), Khalfan Belhoul (CEO, Dubai Future Foundation), Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh (CEO, Invest in Sharjah), Nabil Arnous (CCO, Innovation City), Dmitry Markov (CEO, VisionLabs), Alexey Yuzhakov (Chairman, Promobot), Vyacheslav Kubaev (CEO of Magnit Tech and CIO of Magnit), and Anastasia Stolkova (Member, Russian Federation Public Chamber Commission on Healthcare, Director, RK-Medicine Foundation).
A significant highlight will be the launch of the first accelerator programme designed to create a comprehensive growth ecosystem for Russian tech companies and startups within the UAE.
The evolution of investment cooperation between strategic investors and specialised funds will be addressed in a session spearheaded by the Investment Majlis, Strategic Co-Investment Dialogue. This gathering aims to encourage meaningful dialogue and to showcase innovative project support tools, laying the groundwork for a Russia–UAE investment platform.
The forum will close with a discussion on “Russia and the UAE: Shaping the Ecosystem of Trade and Logistics of the Future,” which will bring together experts such as Sergey Sidorov (Deputy General Director, Government, International and Public Relations at PJSC DVMP [FESCO]), Ramy Jallad (CEO, RAKEZ), Khalid Al Marzooqi (Vice-President – International Business Development, KEZAD), Vladislav Bakhtenko (CEO, Grand Trade), Nadeem Sultan (SVP, Freighters & Cargo Planning, Emirates Airlines), Raj Jit Singh Wallia (CEO & MD, Central Asia, DP World), and Vladislav Shik (Deputy CEO for Managing the Trading Division, JSC Akron Holding). They will explore options for the development of bilateral export corridors, logistics routes, trade diversification, and the implementation of sustainable multimodal solutions.
The UAE–Russia Business Forum promises to solidify the foundations for a flourishing and innovative partnership, ensuring progress in both traditional industries and cutting-edge sectors in the years ahead.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
