The SME Forum

In the face of external sanctions imposed by unfriendly countries, a unique window of opportunity has emerged for Russian companies seeking to expand their non-resource non-energy exports. Special economic zones in friendly countries, equipped with essential infrastructure and offering residents a range of preferential benefits, have become enticing prospects for domestic enterprises. Notably, the proposals put forth by the prominent free economic zones in the UAE, specializing in supporting companies in the manufacturing sector, have garnered significant interest. To facilitate the establishment of new production facilities for Russian businesses in the UAE, several crucial considerations must be addressed. The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has proactively developed mechanisms to support domestic companies' localization efforts in friendly countries. This includes extending preferential financing options for projects aimed at bolstering production abroad, subsidizing costs related to product procurement and delivery, and facilitating leasing of technological and storage facilities. So what should be done to enable Russian business to establish new production facilities in the UAE? What barriers lie ahead and what strategies should be developed to overcome them? What additional preferences are offered to Russian residents? While entering a free economic zone may be relatively straightforward, what would be the subsequent steps for Russian businesses in the Emirati market? What are the reasons behind the formation of Russian clusters within free economic zones, and why is it crucial for businesses to foster unity and collaboration within these clusters?

Moderator
Maksim Zagornov, President of the Russian Federation of Small Power Generation (RAME); Business Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, All-Russian Public Organization "Business Russia"

Maksim Zagornov

President of the Russian Federation of Small Power Generation (RAME); Business Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, All-Russian Public Organization "Business Russia"

Panellists
Mohamed Sharif Habib Mohamed Alawadhi, Director General, Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZ)
Khalid Al Marzooqi, Vice President, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD)
Anas Yousef Abdel Ghafer, Commercial Director, Ras Al Khaimah Free Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
Ivan Demchenko, Chairman of the Board, Novostal-M
Mikhail Labudin, Director, Association for the Development of Clusters, Technology Parks and SEZ of Russia
Alexander Larin, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Research Design and Survey Institute of Energy and Transport Energotransproekt
Dmitry Prokhorenko, Director Development Overseas Network, Russian Export Center
Mikhail Sutyaginskiy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Titan Group of Companies
Andrey Terekhin, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the United Arab Emirates
Roman Chekushov, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Licensing in the Field of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation

Khalid Al Marzooqi

Vice President, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD)

Ivan Demchenko

Chairman of the Board, Novostal-M

The President of the Association of Electrometallurgical Enterprises (AEMP), shareholder of metallurgical holding "Novostal-M", member of the Board of Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) in Krasnodar region.
Ivan Ivanovich Demchenko was born in the city of Abinsk, Krasnodar region.
He graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MSIIR) and received Bachelor’s Degree in “International Business and Business Administration”.
Ivan Demchenko began his professional activity on the construction project of the Abinsk Electric Steel Works (AESW)
in 2008. He worked in the production department of logistics and led the direction of foreign economic activity.
He became the First Deputy CEO of AESW in 2015.
Ivan Demchenko organized the largest hardware production in the south of Russia, launched two workshops in the territory of AESW.
In 2019 he headed the metallurgical holding company "Novostal-M", which core assets are Abinsk Electric Steel Works (Krasnodar region) and Steel Factory Balakovo (Saratov Oblast) and ensured the entry of the enterprise into 35 new foreign markets and the growth of export earnings by 70 percent.
2019: He was awarded the All-Russian Prize in the field of international cooperation and export in the category "Exporter of the Year in the Field of High Technologies".
2020: He was commended the gratitude of the Governor of the Krasnodar Krai for a significant contribution to the development of the industry of the Kuban.
He has an excellent command of English and Spanish.

Alexander Larin

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Research Design and Survey Institute of Energy and Transport Energotransproekt

Mikhail Sutyaginskiy

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Titan Group of Companies

Chairman of the board of directors of “Group of Companies “Titan”, JSC.
Born on January 1, 1962. Since 1979 has been living and working in Omsk. Education: Omsk Institute of Railroad Transport Engineers (1984); Moscow State University of Economy, Statistics and Informatics (2000).
Mikhail Sutyaginskiy began his labor activity at Omsk petroleum refinery. Since 1989 Mikhail has been carrying on active entrepreneurial business. Mikhail established Group of Companies “Titan”. The company became a leader on regional and Russian petrochemical markets.
In March 2007 - Mikhail became Deputy of Legislative Assembly of the Omsk Region. From 2007 to 2011 –State Duma Deputy of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the Y convocation, Committee member on Economic Policy and Entrepreneurship.
Mikhail Sutyaginskiy is a member of expert board under the Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, is a member of industrial and regional public organizations.
Mikhail was given various awards for professional and charitable activity, including medal of Saint Seraphim Sarovsky of the 1st degree, Medal "For outstanding achievements" etc.

Andrey Terekhin

Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the United Arab Emirates

Roman Chekushov

Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Licensing in the Field of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation