Dubai to Host First Russia-Emirates Business Forum

The Russian-Emirati Business Council (REBC) has announced that it will host the first-ever Russia-Emirates Business Forum in Dubai on December 10, 2025. The event is supported by Russia's Industry and Trade Ministry, the Roscongress Foundation, and the Marathon Investment Group. This major forum marks a new milestone in the growing partnership between Russia and the United Arab Emirates, aiming to strengthen trade, investment, and innovation links between the two nations.

The forum is expected to become an annual event and serve as a key platform for dialogue between Russian and Emirati business communities. Representatives from leading companies, investment funds, logistics operators, and tech startups from both countries will participate. The main industries under focus will include chemicals and petrochemicals, agriculture, consumer goods manufacturing, retail, hospitality (HoReCa), IT, and high-tech production, all of which are vital sectors for both economies.

The forum will be held alongside the 12th meeting of the Russia-UAE Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation, which also takes place on December 10 in Dubai. This joint setting reflects the shared goal of expanding bilateral relations. The session will be co-chaired by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, and Anton Alikhanov, Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade. The commission aims to increase mutual investments, boost trade turnover, and promote technological collaboration between the two nations.

The forum will open with a plenary session titled “A Future in Balance: Opportunities for Both Countries.” During this session, speakers will discuss the current state of Russia-UAE cooperation and the future roadmap for REBC. Several topical sessions will also take place, focusing on investment cooperation, technology acceleration, and trade growth between Russia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The “Investment Opportunities” session will explore projects and mechanisms for developing a dedicated Russia-UAE investment platform. Another key session, the “Russia-UAE Industrial Innovation Track,” will launch a new acceleration program for Russian technology companies and startups entering the UAE market. This track will help innovators collaborate, share knowledge, and find new partners in the region.

The day will conclude with the “Export Corridors and Logistics Hubs” session, which will focus on expanding trade routes, diversifying exports, and building multimodal logistics networks between Russia, the UAE, and their MENA partners.

The program highlights how economic ties between Russia and the UAE are evolving beyond traditional sectors into technology, logistics, and industrial manufacturing. Both nations are committed to strengthening their economic resilience by building sustainable partnerships that support innovation and diversification.

Alexander Vinokurov, Chairman of the Russian-Emirati Business Council, said that business cooperation between the two countries is reaching “a qualitatively new level.” He emphasized that the forum is more than just a discussion platform—it represents an operational institution that can turn collaboration into “concrete deals, contracts, and joint ventures.”

Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, highlighted that cooperation between Russia and the UAE continues to grow steadily. “Trade is booming, and new investment projects in industry and transport infrastructure are opening opportunities for both countries,” he said. He added that the Russia-Emirates Business Forum will serve as “an important step in strengthening our partnership and opening a new vector of cooperation.”

The upcoming business forum is expected to draw more than 200 delegates from various industries, investment backgrounds, and innovation ecosystems. Participants will engage in networking sessions, explore partnership opportunities, and discuss strategies to deepen economic relations. Registration for the event officially opened on October 20, 2025, and interest has already begun to grow among regional and international participants.

The Russia-Emirates Business Forum represents a new era of cooperation between Moscow and Abu Dhabi. It reflects both nations’ shared vision to expand their presence in international markets, promote innovation, and build sustainable economic bridges. By bringing together public and private sectors, the forum is set to play a central role in shaping the future of Russia-UAE trade and investment relations.