New Opportunities for Russian Businesses in the Middle East and the UAE

Dr. Ara Melikyan
The Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the United Arab Emirates
Appointed by the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation in April 2016 as the head of the Trade mission (Trade representation) of the Russian Federation (part of the Russian Embassy in the UAE) in the UAE in the rank of Minister - Counsellor according to the intergovernmental agreement
Born in Yerevan, Armenia 1.12.1957
Graduated from the Moscow University of International Relations in 1979 as an expert in the international economic relations with the knowledge of Arabic language;
PhD in Economics, author of several articles on the Arab economies in the specialized publications and the book “Differentiating vocabulary of the Arabic synonyms”.
1981-1993 – Ministry of the Foreign Trade of the USSR and then – Russia
1993-2004 – Trade Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in the UAE
2005-2009 – Head of the Middle East and Africa Division at the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia
2009-2014 – The Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Egypt
2014-2016 – Ministry of Economic Development
2016 – The Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the UAE
Married - wife Mrs. Liana Melikyan, pianist, performed several concerts in the UAE 1995-2000.
Daughter – Ms. Alisa Melikyan, born in Abu Dhabi on 15.08.1996, graduated from the Moscow University of International Relations (international Journalism)

H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi is the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). He leads the organisation’s efforts to grow and diversify Abu Dhabi’s economy through private sector investment. He also oversees strategic initiatives that support the emirate’s economic growth and reputation on the world stage.

Prior to joining ADIO, His Excellency held leadership roles at various institutions including Emirates NBD, Mubadala and Citibank. He also sits on a number of boards including AXA GCIC and EPG (Emirates Post Group)

His Excellency holds a PhD in Economics from the Imperial College London, and graduate degrees from Columbia University and London Business School.

Born in Syria in 1970, grew up and studied in the schools of Damascus.
In 1989 graduated the College for the preparation of teachers – Department of English Language.
Coming from a family working in the field of aviation and air transport industry, Saleh Al Aroud has focused on the fields of travel, tourism and aviation since his early career, when he has been working for A-Hamdi Tourism in Damascus till 1994.
Given the desire and ambition to step up to the business world, he has started he entrepreneurial journey at the age of 25 and gained a vast experience working in Canada, CIS countries and GCC region.
Key career milestones include:
2001 Partner in Click Airways, Kyrgyzstan
2003 Chairman and sole owner of RUS Aviation, cargo airline, UAE
2004 Founded Global Aviation, a cargo handling and shipping services provider, UAE
2008 Founder of Darina Holidays, Travel and Cargo, UAE
2009 Chairman of the Board of Directors at Palm Jet, F.B.O. operates VIP terminal in Baghdad airport, Iraq
2010 Founder of Russian Business Council in Dubai and Northern Emirates, became a board member since 2012
2011 Established Dynamic Hospitality operating restaurants, UAE and Dynamic Hospitality in Russia
2012 Partner in Invest Group Real Estate Development, Canada
2013 Partner in Unique Air, UAE
2013 Became a Partner in Russian Emirates publishing house, UAE
2013 Partner in Basrah Ground Handling Services, Iraq
2015 Canadian franchise group operates the biggest sign company Signarama in Canada and VentureX, co-work space concept, Canada
2015 Partner in Al Razan Group, operating hotels in Basrah and Baghdad airport, Iraq
2016 Chairman of Russian Business Council in Dubai and Northern Emirates
2019 Chairman of the Russian Center of Digital Innovation and Information Communication, initiated between Russian Export Center and Dubai Internet City, to help to enter the MENA market.
Apart from his business, Saleh Al Aroud is actively involved into different social and charity activities, sponsoring cultural events. Supported the World Food Program through his initiative campaign Eat & Feed from 2012 till 2016.

Mr Samir Chaturvedi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), the integrated trade
and industrial hub of Abu Dhabi. In his role, Mr Chaturvedi
oversees KIZAD’s portfolio of assets, activities, operations and
growth strategy.

Mr Chaturvedi brings over 35 years’ experience working with
global organisations in the fields of logistics, shipping, supply
chain management, automotive, infrastructure and real estate
development. He brings critical skillsets for developing a robust
interface between industrial zones and global customers, in
addition to developing and executing business strategies.

Prior to joining Abu Dhabi Ports, Mr Chaturvedi held the position
of Senior Vice President with Economic Zones World (EZW) and
Jafza. During his years with EZW and Jafza, he played various
roles within the organisation and made a considerable impact
in getting these entities to their current position in the industry.
Mr Chaturvedi is an alumnus of Harvard University’s Graduate
School of Design (GSD), the Chartered Institute of Logistics and
Transport (CILT) UK, and Annamalai University in India.