RUSS!A Investment Roadshow
Atlantis (Palm Island), Dubai, 10-11 November 2008
On 10-11 November 2008, the Atlantis The Palm hotel hosted the first ever Russia Investment Roadshow in Dubai.
The conference, which looked at a wide range of bi-lateral trade and investment opportunities, was organised by Eventica and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. It was the largest ever Russia-focussed business event to be held in the UAE, opening the door to a wide range of new cooperation between Russia and the Gulf.
Key investors and holding companies from the Emirates, including Dubai World and Abu Dhabi Investment Council, met with Russian Railways, PIK Group and other leading Russian firms and conglomerates, to discuss cooperation in a variety of areas.
The Roadshow was attended by more than 650 delegates, including 120 journalists. Participants took part from Russia, the Gulf, Europe, Africa, Asia and the United States.
An intensive two-day programme with more than 80 speakers on 13 sessions featured discussions on the fallout of the global economic crisis, and a look at opportunities in the energy, real estate, infrastructure and other sectors, as well as a lively roundtable of Russian and Arab businesswomen.
Speakers included HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates; Alexander Shokhin, President, Russian Union of Industrialists & Entrepreneurs; Vladimir Yakunin, President, Russian Railways; Stanislav Voskresensky, Deputy Minister for Economic Development of the Russian Federation; Alexander Saltanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Russian President's Special Envoy to the Middle East; Ruben Vardanian, Board Chairman and CEO, Troika Dialog Group; HE Hisham Al Shirawi, Vice Сhairman, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mohammed Al-Shroogi, Managing Director, Citigroup Middle East; Sergey Generalov, President, Industrial Investors; Hayan Merchant, Group CEO, Ruwaad Holdings; Konstantin Korishchenko, Chairman of the Board, MICEX Group; Valery Okulov, CEO, Aeroflot and Yuri Soloviev, CEO, VTB Capital and Head of Investment Business, VTB Group.
Partners and sponsors included Russian Railways, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Ruwaad Holdings, Citigroup, Nakheel, Uralsib and Multibroker.
The Roadshow opened in the spectacular Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi with the Russian Rhapsody gala dinner, which featured a performance from well known Russian soprano Maria Maksakova and a special address from HE Salah Salem Bin Omair Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Sergei Kolushev, Chairman of Eventica, said: "This is the first experience of Eventica in organising a business event in this region, and from the very beginning we could sense enormous interest on both sides, with local companies embracing the idea of a Russia Investment Roadshow and ready to offer their support. There is a great deal of attention towards Russian business in the GCC, and the Roadshow offered local companies an opportunity to meet key Russian business leaders all gathered together in one place, and to develop an understanding for the overall economic climate in Russia."
HE Hamad Buamim, Director General of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "In a time when it is more important than ever to continuously seek opportunities to beat the global market trends, Russia is proving to be a haven for investors who are keen to explore new markets. The Russia Investment Roadshow provided such opportunity, being held here in Dubai - the commercial capital of the region."
Plans are already underway for a follow-up event in Dubai in 2009, and for taking the Roadshow to other destinations around the world.
For more details, contact Eventica on +44 (0)20 7183 2560 or at info@eventica.co.uk.
