Dubai to Host Inaugural UAE–Russia Business Forum, Focusing on Strategic Partnership and Innovation
The Russia–UAE Business Council has unveiled the full programme and key participants for the highly anticipated first UAE–Russia Business Forum, scheduled for 10th December in Dubai. This landmark event is set to advance the robust and growing bilateral ties between the two countries, with an emphasis on fostering new economic partnerships, supporting investments, and driving technological cooperation.
Organised by the Russia–UAE Business Council in collaboration with the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Roscongress Foundation, and Marathon Investment Group, the forum will be held in conjunction with the 12th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russia–UAE Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation.
Over recent years, cooperation between Russia and the UAE has witnessed marked expansion in trade volume and joint projects across diverse sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, logistics, agriculture, digital technologies, healthcare, and investment. Both partners are increasingly moving beyond traditional industries and building innovative frameworks of collaboration.
Anton Alikhanov (Russian Industry and Trade Minister) stated, “In recent years, the UAE has become one of Russia’s key economic partners in the Middle East. The first UAE–Russia Business Forum is a testament to this as a priority area.” He further highlighted, “In particular, through the work of the Russia–UAE Business Council, we see enormous potential for developing mutual investments and launching joint projects. While the focus is on technological cooperation, we also see enormous potential for Russia-UAE projects across a wide range of economic sectors in both countries, from logistics and trade to support for IT startups.”
Anton Kobyakov (Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation) commented, “Russia and the UAE are building a solid foundation for long-term cooperation that reflects the interests of both countries in the emerging system of international economic relations. We are seeing improvement in trade and economic indicators, expanding investment activity, and the implementation of new projects in non-resource sectors of the economy. Dialogue with the UAE is an important element of Russia’s broader engagement with the countries of the Global South, where new centres of economic growth are taking shape. Holding the Business Forum in Dubai will strengthen the practical component of our bilateral cooperation and create conditions for launching new initiatives.”
The forum will gather major companies from both nations, including investment funds, technology startups, and logistics operators. The centrepiece plenary session, titled “Architecture of Long-Term Growth: New Opportunities for Both Countries,” will feature Alexander Vinokurov (Chairman of the Russia–UAE Business Council), who will present strategies and instruments designed to unlock the economic and business potential shared by Russia and the UAE.
Key participants in the forum include Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office Badr Al-Olama, and CEO of Gazprom-Media Holding Alexander Zharov.
The event’s opening panel, “Russia–UAE Innovation Track: A New Era of Technological Partnership,” will welcome prominent voices such as Andrey Shket (Deputy Chairman, Skolkovo Foundation), Dmitry Markov (CEO, VisionLabs), Paul Dawalibi (CEO, Innovation City), and Vyacheslav Kubaev (CEO, Magnit Tech). This session will launch the inaugural accelerator programme to fuel a robust growth ecosystem for Russian tech companies and startups in the UAE.
A dedicated focus will be given to the development of investment cooperation at the “Strategic Co-Investment Dialogue” session, hosted by Investment Majlis. This exclusive gathering of strategic investors and specialised funds aims to drive purposeful dialogue and introduce new tools designed to catalyze Russia–UAE investments.
The agenda will culminate with the panel discussion, “Russia and the UAE: Shaping the Ecosystem of Trade and Logistics of the Future“, featuring Ramy Jallad (CEO of RAKEZ) and Vladislav Bakhtenko (CEO of Grand Trade). Discussions will focus on building bilateral export corridors, diversifying trade flows, and creating sustainable multimodal solutions to enhance connectivity and efficiency between the two economies.
With high-profile support and participation, the UAE–Russia Business Forum stands out as a strategic platform for unlocking new opportunities and deepening collaboration across sectors, setting the stage for a new era in economic and technology partnerships between Russia and the UAE.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
