Emirati-Russian Business Forum Set to Convene in December

Russia and the UAE are launching their first joint business forum in Dubai on December 10, 2025, bringing together companies, investment funds, and startups to explore partnerships across key industries. The event comes as trade between the two countries grows rapidly, with both governments pushing for deeper economic ties through technology cooperation and joint industrial projects.

The UAE-Russia Business Council is organizing the forum with backing from Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade, Roscongress Foundation, and Marathon Investment Group. The event is planned as an annual gathering that will become a central part of both countries' economic agenda.

Companies from sectors including chemicals, petrochemicals, agriculture, consumer goods, retail, hospitality, IT, and advanced manufacturing will participate. The forum also brings together logistics operators and tech startups looking for cross-border opportunities.

The timing isn't coincidental. The forum happens alongside the 12th meeting of the Russian-UAE Joint Governmental Commission for Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation, also scheduled for December 10 in Dubai. This commission focuses on building strategic partnerships, boosting mutual investments, and developing technical cooperation between the nations.

Alexander Vinokurov, chairman of the UAE-Russia Business Council, said business cooperation between the countries is experiencing a qualitative shift. He noted growing interest from companies in both nations for joint projects, spanning from technology partnerships to creating industrial clusters.

Anton Kobyakov, advisor to the Russian president, pointed to steady growth in bilateral cooperation. Trade exchange is flourishing, and new investment projects are launching in manufacturing and transport infrastructure, creating fresh business opportunities in both countries.

For investors and businesses, this represents a significant development in Russia-UAE economic relations. The UAE has positioned itself as a key hub for Russian businesses seeking international markets, while Russian companies offer the UAE access to energy resources and industrial expertise. The formal structure of annual forums and government-level cooperation suggests both countries see long-term strategic value in deepening these ties.

The focus on technology cooperation and industrial clusters indicates both nations want to move beyond traditional trade relationships toward more sophisticated partnerships that could reshape regional economic dynamics.