The Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a meeting of the Russian-Emirati Business Council

Opening the meeting, he noted that 2022 was a difficult year from the point of view of international relations, but it turned out well for Russian-Emirati economic relations, thanks to the balanced position of the UAE leadership. This allows us to develop relations in the field of trade, business and tourism, and air traffic between Russia and other countries goes through Turkey and the UAE, Sergey Gorkov recalled.

Over the past year, REDD faced a number of challenges and rebuilt its work from traditional to operational activities, when it had to help Russian companies open accounts and register in the UAE. "We provided assistance and support for the opening of 4-5 companies a week, but despite the difficulties, an algorithm for a successful solution was found," S. Gorkov informed.

In his welcoming speech, the Vice President of the CCI of the Russian Federation Vladimir Padalko highlighted the promotion of investment cooperation in the fuel and energy sector and in the field of information technology among the priority areas of deepening trade and economic cooperation between Russia and the Emirates. According to him, the UAE has taken a serious place in the trade and economic relations of the Russian Federation. "Until recently, we could not imagine that the UAE would occupy such a serious place in the palette of our trade and economic relations and become the main hub of our trade abroad," Vladimir Padalko stressed.

"The momentum is impressive, there has been a multiple increase in the registration of Russian companies, and we will promote this process and defend our interests. Everyone needs insurance, a guarantee, and risk minimization, and the Russian-Emirati Business Council can play an important role in this way. Compatriots in the UAE represent a significant capital that can return with investments in the Russian economy," said the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.

Executive Director of REDS Alexey Busev presented a report on the activities of the Council and plans for 2023. In January 2022, a meeting of the REDD management with representatives of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Innovation Department and the REDD conference "Russia: Agrofood" took place during the EXPO 2020 exhibition in February 2022. Alexey Busev said that the priority in the activity of the REDD remains the promotion of the interests of Russian companies in the market of the United Arab Emirates. The Executive Director of the Council also named the launch of the Eurasian Trade and Industrial Hub in Abu Dhabi and the organization of the REDD session at the forum "Russia - the Islamic World: Kazanforum 2023" among the main plans for this year. 

Alexey Busev named the development of the REDDS Association and the opening of a Russian cultural and educational center in the UAE among the strategic activities of the REDDS in 2023. Then Alexey Busev held a presentation of the opportunities of the Eurasian Trade and Industrial Hub in Abu Dhabi.

Director of the Department of Asia, Africa and Latin America of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Sergey Nosov said that currently the UAE is ahead of Egypt in terms of trade turnover with Russia and now we are talking about the complete zeroing of duties in trade between the two countries. He also spoke about the upcoming meeting of the intergovernmental commission of Russia and the UAE in March and other upcoming events, including industrial exhibitions and forums.

At the end, a vote was held on the issues of the Decision of the general meeting of the members of the REDD.