The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently led a study mission to Russia and Belarus which explored business potential within the countries’ IT markets, as well as prospects for new partnerships and joint ventures in several innovation-focused sectors.

The study mission included visits to Moscow and Minsk where delegates held high-level meetings with officials and representatives from the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Skolkovo Innovation Center, Russian Export Center, Belarus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Belarus Hi-Tech Park, while delegates also attended the SVIAZ IT Exhibition in Moscow, the largest IT trade show in Eastern Europe, said a statement.

The mission was joined by Dubai Chamber officials and representatives from government entities and leading companies in Dubai, it said.

The visits provided an ideal opportunity to learn about the business environment in Russia and Belarus and showcase Dubai’s potential as a global business hub, it added.

Discussions during the visits covered unique advantages that Dubai and its various free zones can provide to Russian and Belarusian companies, while Dubai Silicon Oasis and Jafza were highlighted as two attractive economic zones which Eurasian companies can benefit from.

Omar Khan, director of international offices at Dubai Chamber, noted that there is strong interest among Russian and Belarusian companies that are keen to grow their exports in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia's (Menasa) region by leveraging Dubai’s strategic geographic position.

He highlighted many synergies shared by business communities in Russia, Belarus and the UAE, including their strong focus on fostering innovation, economic diversification, global trade and foreign investment.

He stressed the importance of establishing a presence in Dubai, UAE, which he said is the most effective way for Russian and Belarusian companies and associations to explore new opportunities and expand their presence in the region, adding that Dubai Chamber is ready to provide its full support to assist them.

Suren Vardanyan, vice president of international affairs, Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the MCCI’s UAE commission is active and ready to support expanding cooperation between Russian companies and their Dubai-based counterparts.

He noted that both sides can benefit from boosting their cooperation in key areas such as high technology, space, energy, augmented reality and virtual reality, adding that there is potential to create joint ventures in the GCC and Russia.

Kirill Kaem, senior vice president for innovation, Skolkovo Foundation gave an overview of the Skolkovo Innovation Center in Russia, a scientific and technological centre for the development and commercialisation of advanced technologies.

He explained that the foundation is looking for partners to help scale up and commercialise Skolkovo resident start-ups, which he said could be an opportunity for Dubai-based start-ups.

In Belarus, Dubai Chamber delegation met with the leadership of the world-renowned Belarus Hi-Tech Park and its residents. Siarhei Nabeshka, deputy chairman of the Belarus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, lauded Dubai Chamber’s decision to organise a study mission to explore business potential in Belarus’ IT sector, and pointed out that the country is world leader in software solutions which has aims to boost its exports in this area.

Khan explained that the study mission supports Dubai Chamber’s strategy of exploring promising markets around the world and identifying attractive business opportunities for its 217,000 members.

He invited government and business leaders in Russia and Belarus to visit Dubai and participate in Gulfood, Gitex and other major exhibitions and conferences in that take place in the emirate every year, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service