Joining the Russian-Arab Business Council

Russian-Arab Business Council

The Russian-Arab Business Council (RABC) is an organization that serves to promote the development of investment, trade and economic cooperation between Russian and Arab companies and organizations and provide efficient assistance in establishing direct contacts between representatives of business circles.

RABC was founded in 2002 according to an agreement, signed by the Russian CCI and the General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries.

The main vectors of the Council's activities include organizing meetings, sessions, business forums, round tables, exhibitions in Russia and Arab countries, B2B events, establishing direct contacts between Russian and Arab business structures, as well as preparation, consulting and support of projects and signing of agreements, in addition to various research and information work.

The headquarters of the Russian part of RABC are located in Moscow, Russia, while the secretariat of the General Union of Arab Chambers, the headquarters of which are in Beirut, Lebanon, functions as the Arab part.

RABC has established a unique infrastructure of contacts with governments, public authorities, ministries and departments of Arab countries and key public and private companies. Recent years have witnessed a significant breakthrough in Russian-Arab investment, trade and economic cooperation. During 2003 - 2013 the trade between the Russian Federation and the countries of the Arab region has increased nearly ten times exceeding $14 billion, while the volume of direct investment in Russia’s economy in years 2012 - 2013 alone reached more than $9 billion. Biggest public sovereign funds of the Middle East, primarily Mubadala (UAE), Kuwait Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, Qatar Holding and Qatar Investment Authority, State General Reserve Fund of Oman, etc. have invested in projects on the Russian territory.

RABC has helped many Russian and Arab companies to sign tens of agreements, and lots of Russian businesses have established themselves in new niches of Arab markets, attracted investment to projects in Russia and established long-term partnerships and bilateral projects both in Russia and the Arab world.

The cooperation environment created by RABC has provided benefits for small and large companies alike, including world-famous corporations like Gazprom, Lukoil, Gazpromneft, Stroytransgaz, Tatneft, Kamaz Holding, Russian Railroads, InterRAO and others. The Arab region is now of great interest and importance for Russian economic operators looking forward to entering new markets and participating in international investment projects.

At present, the list of Council members includes a number of key Russian companies working in domestic and international markets – JSFC Sistema, Vneshekonombank, OJSC Bashneft, Vneshtorgbank, OJSC RPC Uralvagonzavod, LLC Zagranstroy, and others.

The Russian part of the RABC is chaired by H.E.Dr. Vladimir Evtushenkov, Chairman of JSFC Sistema. The post of Director General of the RABC is held by Mr. Stanislav Yankovets. The Arab part of the Council is headed by H.E.Adnan Kassar, President of the General Union of Arab Chambers.

Eighteen bilateral Russian-Arab business councils function within the framework of RABC, and more than 400 companies, representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and key organizations of Russian and Arab economies take part in their activities.

The Council has organized over a hundred Russian-Arab events since its establishment more than ten years ago, including forums, round table discussions, conferences and presentations in Russia and Arab countries. Joint sessions of the Russian and the Arab parts of the Council have been held in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Cairo, Beirut, Riyadh, Manama, Casablanca, other cities and regional capitals. The President of the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation regularly send welcome addresses to participants of the Sessions and business events organized by RABC.

Arabia-EXPO exhibitions have become the highlight of the Council’s activities, taking place in Moscow in 2008 and 2010 and St.Petersburg in 2013. The exhibitions were timed to the Eighth, Ninth, and Eleventh sessions of the Council and have become one of the key events of the bilateral business agenda. The events were actively supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the League of Arab States. The events became a platform for discussion on relevant issues of bilateral cooperation, networking, and tackling specific issues. The exhibitions witnessed participation of more than 100 small, medium and large companies, representatives of businesses from Arab countries, Europe and Russia, and the number of visitors reached several thousand.

RABC has organized bilateral forums and specialized exhibitions of Russian products and services in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Algeria. More venues are being planned. Some events have been organized in the framework of official visits of the President of the Russian Federation. Recent projects include the Russian-Emirati exhibition, timed to coincide with the “Russia - GCC” Forum in the UAE, that was successfully launched in 2012 in Sharjah and Dubai. In 2009, 2010 and 2012 the Russian-Arab Business Council has contributed to the organization “Russia-Arab World” business dialogue session in the framework of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. In 2013 the Council became partner to the organization of “Industrial Infrastructure Development: Prospects of Cooperation between Russia and Arab World” round table, held during “INNOPROM-2013”, the International Exhibition and Industry and Innovations Forum in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

In 2013 and 2014 the RABC is planning to hold a number of significant events in Arab countries and in Russia. The current list of events can be found on the front page of the official site of RABC, or by contacting the Council’s headquarters in Moscow.

The Council is looking forward to assisting requests from Arab companies looking for Russian partners, entering markets, organizing meetings and negotiations, and providing information support.

RABC Members

There are two types of membership for companies in the RABC, Associated Members of the Russian-Arab Business Council and Members of Coordination Council.

Services available for RABC Coordination Council Members

  • Coordination Council Members can be elected to head one of the bilateral business councils functioning within the framework of RABC
  • RABC promotes and positions its Coordination Council member companies in Russian and Arab business communities and provides special treatment during RABC events in Russia and Arab states
  • Council Members can hold sections, round table discussions and negotiations with potential investors and partners during RABC events. Opportunities for holding company and project presentations are provided.
  • RABC provides assistance in trade and economic activities, establishment of contacts and communications with Russian and Arab partners, holding talks and supporting services.
  • RABC issues recommendations regarding establishment of partnerships and communications with the organization of relations with potential partners, Ministries, departments, and Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Arab countries.
  • If necessary, the Council will provide targeted assistance in preparation and signing of bilateral documents, contracts and memorandums
  • RABC and its affiliated International Agency for Attracting Investment can also assist investment projects owners and interested investors in different sectors
  • During events and sessions organized by RABC up to two representatives of the Coordination Council companies are exempt from registration fees
  • Membership fees are paid yearly, and the current list of the RABC members can be found at the official site of the Council

Services available for Associated RABC Members

  • RABC promotes and positions its Associated member companies in Russian and Arab business communities and provides special treatment during RABC events in Russia and Arab states
  • Council Members can hold sections, round table discussions and negotiations with potential investors and partners during RABC events. Opportunities for holding company and project presentations are provided.
  • RABC provides assistance in trade and economic activities, establishment of contacts and communications with Russian and Arab partners, holding talks and supporting services.
  • RABC issues recommendations regarding establishment of partnerships and communications with the organization of relations with potential partners, Ministries, departments, and Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Arab countries.
  • If necessary, the Council will provide targeted assistance in preparation and signing of bilateral documents, contracts and memorandums
  • RABC and its affiliated International Agency for Attracting Investment can also assist investment projects owners and interested investors in different sectors
  • During events and sessions organized by RABC up one representative of Associated Member company is exempt from registration fees

Members of the Coordination Council and RABC Associated members can also become Privileged Partners of the Council – a status that includes detailed design and implementation of a cooperation schedule between the Partner and the Council, including assistance in finding partners, drafting agreements and controlling their signing and execution, assistance in attracting financing for projects from Russian and international sources. The conditions of such cooperation are discussed individually with each interested party.

Throughout the years of its existence the RABC has helped the majority of its members find partners in the Arab World. The Russian-Arab Business Council’s brand has become well-known in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region.

For inquiries regarding possible cooperation with the Russian-Arab Business Council please contact Mr. Vladislav Lutsenko, Deputy Director General of RABC: