The first edition of the Commonwealth of Independent States Global Business Forum (CIS GBF 2016) (http://www.cisgbf.com) organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (http://www.DubaiChamber.com) from February 17 to 18, 2016, will be addressed by world class business leaders as well as global investors, focusing on key topics related to the changing realities of economic cooperation in the CIS.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Forum will offer a platform for investors to hold meetings and sign bilateral business partnerships and investment agreements between companies in different sectors.

Under the theme, ‘Ancient Routes - New Opportunities’, the Forum will feature vibrant sessions exploring opportunities on old trading links to neighbouring regions and beyond as well as new Economic Union Eurasian alliances and other major topics including Islamic finance, energy and sustainable future, the development of transport and logistics corridor between the north and south, and the profitability of economic diversification strategy.

H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber, said: “The Forum in its first edition in Dubai is an opportunity for UAE and Gulf based companies to explore the most promising markets of Central Asian countries. It will inspire in-depth dialogues between investors and officials on economic trends and plans to attract investments and seek partnerships for the future. The sessions will highlight Dubai as a major driver in the shift towards real and sustainable economic partnership, which is of much interest to the business sector.”

The key speakers include H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World; Ahmad Belhoul, CEO, Masdar, UAE, Ruslan Alikhanov, President, Agro Investment Company, Russia, Jean-Marc Peterschmitt, Managing Director for Countries of Operations and COO for Banking, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, UK, Christopher Hopkinson, First Deputy Chairman, Kazmunaygas, Prasad Abraham, CEO, Al Hilal Bank, and Aidan Karibzhanov, General Director, Visor Holding, Kazakhstan; Mammad Karimov, Founder, Khazar Ventures, Azerbaijan; Samson Pkhakadze, President, Wissol Group, Georgia, Khaled Mohammed Al-Aboodi, CEO, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector at Islamic Development Bank, Saudi Arabia; Yu Jianlong, Secretary General, China Chamber of International Commerce, and Taleh Ziyadov, Director General, Baku International Sea Trade Port, Azerbaijan.