Sharjah Biz Forum Ropes in Movers & Shakers Of Russia & GCC 

(MENAFN Press) Sharjah, 5th December 2012:

The who's who of the GCC and Russian government and business community will address the inaugural Russia-GCC Business Forum that will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from December 17 to 19, 2012.

By bringing together personalities who wield considerable power and influence in their respective industries and sphere of activity, the Russia-GCC Business Forum aiMs. to become an effective and prestigious platform to boost bilateral trade and enhance co-operation between businesses, government departments and other entities.

Local and regional business executives who have confirmed their participation in the forum include Dr. Ahmed Saif Belhasa, Chairman of Belhasa Group; Mrs. Fatima Al Jaber, Chairperson of Emirates Businesswomen Council; Mr. Badr Jafar, President, Crescent Petroleum; Mr. Saleh Al Aroud, Chairman, Al Aroud Group; and Dr. Azza Ibrahim Almulla, Attorney, Almulla Lawyers & Legal Consultants, among others.

"The Russia-GCC Business Forum has succeeded in getting on board some high-profile government officials, business owners, senior executives and CEOs from across the GCC and Russia. They will enrich the forum through their in-depth knowledge in their professional fields, regional and international experience and highlight business prospects," said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah.

Being the Platinum sponsors, several key executives from Crescent Petroleum and Gulftainer will also address the forum.

"This forum comes at a great time, when the opportunities are ripe for a vast increase in the scope for further business collaboration between the UAE and the Russia Federation. At the Crescent Group, we have been active in developing ties with Russian companies over the past few years now, and plan to progress our mutually rewarding relationships even further in the coming years," said Badr Jafar, Managing Director of the Crescent Group and President of Crescent Petroleum.

Mr. Peter Richards, Managing Director, Gulftainer Group, who will speak on the prospects of cooperation in freight traffic and logistics at the forum, said, "Bilateral trade relations between the GCC and Russia continue to grow and this forum will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss investment opportunities, how to maximise opportunities as well insights into best business practices across both regions."

The officials and executives who will highlight the opportunities and challenges in Russia will include Mr. Vladimir Evtushenkov, Chairman of JSFC "Systema", Mr. Ruslan Edelgeriev, Premier Minister of Chechen Republic, Mr. Anatoly Valetov, Deputy Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, Mr. Kolontai Alexander, Deputy Director of the State Unitary Enterprise "NIIP General Plan of Moscow", Mr. Andrey Ivanovich, CJSC "Transline", Ms. E. Anikina, Head of International Cooperation Department, Russian Olympic Committee, Mr. Dmitry Bazanov, Head of the Center of Technological Connections 'MOEC', and Mr. Dmitry Minz, Chairman of O1 Properties, among others.

"The topics and industrial sectors that will be taken up for discussions and presentations include energy cooperation, urban planning, infrastructure projects, tourism, investments & financial activities, trade and services, new tech, commercial & economic legislation in UAE and women's entrepreneurship," added Mr. Midfa.

"And we are proud enough to have roped in the right people who are in the thick of the action in their respective fields and departments, thus making the event a must-attend for those looking at better business prospects in both the GCC and Russia," said Mr. Midfa.

Other Russian speakers and moderators include Mr. Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Moscow Government; Mr. Ernst Mavlyutov, Director of NIIP General Plan of Moscow; Mr. Pavel Gagarin, Chairman of the Audit and Consulting Group; Ms. Tatiyana Gvilava, President of Women in Business; Ms. I Eldarhanova, Chairman of Women in Business & Group CEO of Konfael; and Ms. M Moskalenko, Vice-President of Women in Business.