The First CIS Global Business Forum 2016

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced that the first edition of the Commonwealth of Independent States Global Business Forum (CIS GBF 2016) in Dubai, organised by the Chamber from February 17-18, 2016, will be addressed by eminent speakers, including world class business and economic leaders as well as global investors, focusing on key topics related to the changing realities of economic cooperation in the CIS.

Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the CIS GBF 2016 will also offer a platform for investors to hold meetings and sign bilateral business partnerships and investment agreements between companies in different sectors.

Under the theme, ‘Ancient Routes – New Opportunities’, the Forum will feature vibrant sessions exploring opportunities on old trading links to neighbouring regions and beyond as well as new Economic Union Eurasian alliances. Other major topics include Islamic finance, energy and sustainable future, the development of transport and logistics corridor between the north and south, and the profitability of economic diversification strategy.

Commenting on the CIS GBF 2016, His Excellency Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber, said: “The Forum in its first edition in Dubai is an opportunity for UAE and Gulf based companies to explore the most promising markets of Central Asian countries. It will inspire in-depth dialogues between investors and officials on economic trends and plans to attract investments and seek partnerships for the future.”

H.E. Buamim said the Forum holds considerable significance with its focus on the economic diversification policy adopted by the Emirate of Dubai, which matches the Dubai Chamber efforts to find new diverse markets for the local business community.

He further pointed out that the participation of a group of prominent speakers from the decision-makers in the business world will enrich the discussions at the Forum, and reveal the broad prospects for economic cooperation between the two regions. The sessions will highlight Dubai as a major driver in the shift towards real and sustainable economic partnership, which is of much interest to the business sector, H.E. Buamim added.

High profile dignitaries participating in the Forum include His Excellency Bakir Izetbegovic, Bosniak Member, Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and H.E. CY Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The key speakers at the CIS GBF 2016 include H.E. Mohamed Alabbar, Board Member of Eagle Hills, UAE; H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World, UAE; Benedikt Sobotka, Chief Executive Officer, Eurasian Resources Group, Luxembourg; Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, UAE; and Ahmad Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, UAE.

Other eminent speakers are Prasad Abraham, Chief Executive Officer, Al Hilal Bank, Kazakhstan; Khaled Mohammed Al-Aboodi, Chief Executive Officer of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector at Islamic Development Bank, Saudi Arabia; Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, flydubai, UAE; Christopher Hopkinson, First Deputy Chairman, Kazmunaygas, Kazakhstan; Aidan Karibzhanov, General Director, Visor Holding, Kazakhstan; Mammad Karimov, Founder, Khazar Ventures, Azerbaijan; and Gerald Lawless, Honorary President, Jumeirah Group, UAE.

The speakers at the Forum also include Barbara Meynert, Chair of Digital Economy Task Force, UN ESCAP, Thailand; Jean-Marc Peterschmitt, Managing Director for Countries of Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Banking, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, United Kingdom; Samson Pkhakadze, President, Wissol Group, Georgia; Borisbiy Zhangurazov, Executive Chairman, Kaznex Invest, Kazakhstan; Taleh Ziyadov, Director-General, Baku International Sea Trade Port, Azerbaijan; and Kamran Siddiqi, Group Executive CEMEA, Visa, UAE.

The first day of the Forum will look at the reorientation of CIS Business and the mutual benefits that come from the emerging CIS-GCC Cooperation Council relationship. Sessions will also examine the role of Sovereign Wealth Funds and focus on the transformation of the CIS and Dubai, providing tangible insights into opportunities, challenges and synergies. Another key session on the first day will be on the topic, Future Energy – After the Oil Age. On the first day, the Forum will also see some of the region’s leading entrepreneurs discussing the potential of the emerging private sector.

The second day of the Forum will examine new opportunities in developing the North-South transport corridor. One of the sessions will look at the impact of the Silk Road on supply chains while another session will discuss the challenges of diversification and look at the lessons from Dubai in building up new industries. A session on the topic, ‘Connections along the Silk Road’ will draw attention on the role of such hubs such as Hong Kong and the potential for cooperation between Dubai and Hong Kong as new business connections emerge. Other major sessions will focus on the topics ‘Islamic Finance in the CIS and ‘Leveraging the CIS Opportunity’.

The CIS GBF 2016 is supported by Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD ) as a title sponsor and Nakheel as the Gold sponsor; while the forum’s official airline carrier is Emirates.

The CIS GBF 2016 is part of a series of global forums for businesses launched by Dubai Chamber to bring together leading players from various governments and institutions in order to support the development efforts, and explore new investment opportunities in emerging markets around the world. So far, Dubai Chamber has organized three editions of the Africa Global Business Forum, the most recent held in November last year. Dubai Chamber is collaborating with The Economist Intelligence Unit, the Britain-based Economist Group, in the development of the content of the forum.