PROGRAMME
Wednesday 17th February
09.00
Welcome Address
H.E. Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce &
Industry
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09.10
Opening Keynote Address
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09.30
Changing Synergies – The Reorientation of CIS Business
The CIS is more a concept than a reality, as the markets of the former Soviet
Union forge new economic alliances and build trading links to neighbouring
regions and beyond – from the Eurasian Economic Union to the Silk Road. In this
session we will explore the contours of these changing synergies. What are the
mutual benefits that come from the emerging CIS-GCC relationship? What are
the obstacles and risks?
Confirmed speaker:
Benedikt Sobotka,
Luxembourg
Chief
Executive
Officer,
Eurasian
Resources
Group,
Invited speakers:
Alain Bejjani, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim, UAE
Alain Pilloux, Managing Director, Industry, Commerce and Agribusiness, EBRD, UK
Victor Fung, Honorary Chairman, Li & Fung Limited, China
Dmitry Kostygin, Chairman of the Board, Ulmart, Russia
Alexander Vinokurov, Chief Executive Officer, IC A1, Russia
Wang Yanzhi, President, Silk Road Fund, China
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10.30
Funding the Future – The Role of Sovereign Wealth Funds
Revenues from oil and gas have enabled the creation of sovereign wealth funds
across both the Gulf and the CIS. As government incomes shrink, some funds are
privatising assets while others are searching for the best investment opportunities
at home and abroad. Our panellists will explore these strategies and the emerging
synergies among the funds.
Invited speakers:
H.E. Mohammed I. Al Shaibani, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer,
Investment Corporation of Dubai, UAE
Kirill Dmitriev, Chief Executive Officer, Russian Direct Investment Fund, Russia
Dauren Erdebay, Deputy Chairman, Samruk Kazyna, Kazakhstan
Shahmar Movsumov, Chief Executive Officer, Azerbaijan State Oil Fund, Azerbaijan
11.30
Networking Break
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12.00
KEYNOTE: Ancient Routes – Rapid Change
It is a time of rapid change and rising risks for the CIS. But attempts to boost
trade and investment ties between markets in the region and the rest of the world
are forging ahead. In this session, heads of state from the CIS region will discuss
the economic impact of these changes.
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13.00
Networking Lunch
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14.30
New Opportunities – The Business Perspective
In conversation with two world-leading entrepreneurs, this session will draw out
the story of the transformation of the CIS and Dubai, providing tangible insights
into opportunities, challenges and synergies.
Confirmed speaker:
H.E. Mohamed Alabbar, Board Member, Eagle Hills, UAE
Invited speakers:
Viktor Vekselberg, Chairman, Renova Group, Russia
Vladimir Yevtushenkov, Chairman, AFK Sistema and Chairman of the RussiaArab Business Council, Russia
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15.15
Future Energy – After the Oil Age
The oil-rich countries of the CIS and the Gulf are trying to understand the future
of hydrocarbons in a world of low prices and increasing pressure on carbon
emissions. At the same time, they are exploring the potential of developing
alternative energy sources. What must the oil states do to retain their position as
energy hubs?
Confirmed speakers:
Ahmad Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, UAE
Christopher Hopkinson, Chairman, Kazmunaygas, Kazakhstan
Invited speakers:
Christof Ruehl, Global Head of Research, ADIA, UAE
Maxim Timchenko, Chief Executive Officer, DTEK, Ukraine
16.15
Emerging Multinationals - Who, What and Where Next?
A new generation of companies is emerging across the CIS, leveraging knowledge
of local markets and building on regional aspirations. This session will discuss the
potential of the emerging private sector with some of the region’s leading
entrepreneurs and ask when we will see the first Fortune-500 company.
Confirmed speakers:
Aidan Karibzhanov, General Director, Visor Holding, Kazakhstan
Mammad Karimov, Founder, Khazar Ventures, Azerbaijan
Invited speakers:
Marina Kolesnik, Founder and CEO, OKTOGO, Russia
Soso Pkhakadze, President, Wissol Group, Georgia
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17.00
End of Day One and Networking Reception
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19.00
Gala Dinner
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PROGRAMME
Thursday 18th February
09.30
Yesterday and Today – In Brief
We will get the morning going with a lively summary of memorable points from
the first day’s sessions – and an overview of the second day.
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09.40
Driving the Future - Making the Most of New Synergies
The automotive and electronics industries are making the most of the new rail
links between China and Europe to speed their route to market. What possibilities
does this open up for businesses operating in the countries in between? How
might global value chains change as new synergies emerge?
Invited speaker:
Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Italy
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10.10
Diversification Dividends – Overcoming Challenges and Reaping Rewards
The region’s oil economies are all trying to diversify away from dependence on
natural resources. Both Astana and Baku are working with Dubai to position
themselves as hubs for Central Asia with impressive infrastructure and high
profile architectural projects. This session will discuss the challenges of
diversification and look at the lessons from Dubai in building up new industries.
Confirmed speaker:
Gerald Lawless, President & Group CEO, Jumeirah Group, UAE
Invited speakers:
H.E. Essa Kazim, Governor, DIFC Authority, UAE
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, FlyDubai, UAE
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11.00
Networking Break
11.30
New Opportunities – Developing the North-South Transport Corridor
There is enormous potential for the Gulf region in developing the trading and
investment routes that run north-south from the Silk Road. These would link
Dubai to Moscow and the newly founded Eurasian Economic Union via Iran,
Turkey and Azerbaijan – a group of markets with around 350 million people. What
will it take to turn this into a key economic corridor over the next decade?
Confirmed speaker:
Barbara Meynert, Chair of Digital Economy Task Force, UN ESCAP, Thailand
Invited speakers:
H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World, UAE
Kirill Androsov, Chairman of the Board of Directors, PJSC Aeroflot, Russia
Askar Mamin, President, Kazakhstan Railways, Kazakhstan
Dmitry Pankin, Chairman, Eurasian Development Bank, Kazakhstan
Wencai Zhang, Vice-President, Asian Development Bank, Philippines
Taleh Ziyadov, Director-General, Baku International Sea Trade Port, Azerbaijan
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12.30
Networking Lunch
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14.00
KEYNOTE - The Eurasian Islamic Economy
An Islamic economy is beginning to emerge across Eurasia, stretching from
Bosnia and Herzegovina to Turkey and the CIS, with close links to the Gulf states
and Asia. H.E. Bakir Izetbegovic will explore the potential for building stronger
partnerships between these markets.
Invited speaker:
H.E. Bakir Izetbegovic, Bosniak Member, Presidency of Bosnia & Herzegovina
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14.15
Funding the Future – Islamic Finance in the CIS
The CIS region is home to large Muslim communities and relatively low
penetration of financial services. Islamic finance has started to emerge as an
option in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, with players
from Dubai taking a leading role in introducing Sharia-compliant products and
services. Governments, too, are gradually rolling out laws, regulations and
standards for the sector. What is needed to make Islamic finance a viable
alternative? How can the region implement policies to deepen the pool of available
Sharia-compliant capital?
Confirmed speakers:
Prasad Abraham, Chief Executive Officer, Al Hilal Bank, Kazakhstan
Khaled Mohammed Al-Aboodi, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Corporation for
the Development of the Private Sector, Islamic Development Bank, Saudi Arabia
15.00
Finding New Roads - Leveraging the CIS Opportunity
Russia is an enormous market for many global companies - by far the largest in
the CIS region. But its rapid slowdown has pushed companies to look harder at
other markets in the CIS to sustain overall business performance in the region. In
this session, regional directors discuss how they are tackling the challenges and
expanding in this varied region.
Confirmed speaker:
Borisbiy Zhangurazov, Chairman of the Board, Kaznex Invest, Kazakhstan
Invited speakers:
Jean Claude Farah, Executive Vice President and President, Middle East, Africa,
Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe & CIS, Western Union, UAE
Mikhail Gerchuk, Head of Eurasia, Vimpelcom, Netherlands
Nathan Kalumbu, President, Eurasia & Africa Group, The Coca-Cola Company,
Turkey
Silviu Popovici, President, Russia, Ukraine and CIS, PepsiCo, Russia
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16.00
Key Findings
Summing up the inaugural CIS Global Business Forum
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16.10
End of CIS GBF 2016
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