Abu Dhabi’s potential as a global technology hub

• Russian Investment Forum at AIM Congress 2024 highlighted Russia’s robust economic standing.
• Various Russian regions showcased unique investment opportunities, from the Far East’s oil and gas sector to Tatarstan’s diverse industries.
• Discussions also revolved around innovation and technology, with an emphasis on Abu Dhabi’s potential as a global technology hub.

Amidst the grandeur of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the Russian Investment Forum emerged as a unique centre of opportunities during the 2024 AIM Congress.

Under the International Partners’ Track, this forum brought together luminaries from Russia’s business landscape to showcase the nation’s unique investment propositions and affirm Abu Dhabi’s suitability as a global technology hub.

Spearheading the discussions was Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. Katyrin painted a picture of Russia’s robust economic stature, ranking first in Europe and fifth globally in terms of GDP.

He cited Russia’s commitment to fostering a conducive investment environment, highlighting federal and regional investment legislations designed to attract foreign investors. Katyrin’s presentation offered a comprehensive overview of Russia’s investment potential, showcasing over 600,000 infrastructure facilities, 412 industrial parks and technoparks, and 159 preferential regimes and territories.

“We are working on federal and regional investment legislations. We have four directions to attract investors and about 70 indicators measuring the direction,” explained Sergey Katyrin.

Russia’s investment landscape

Representatives from diverse Russian regions further illuminated the investment landscape. Galina Dziuba, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Sakhalin Region, illustrated the unique opportunities in the Far East, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

She extended an invitation to participate in the upcoming oil and gas forum in Sakhalin, citing opportunities for collaboration and investment in the region’s energy sector.

“Our region has a lot of natural resources and more than 70 deposits for coal mining,” said Galina Dziuba.

Eugene Borisoff, Deputy Director of the Internet Initiatives Development Fund, showcased the growing need for innovation, citing the Global Innovation Index 2023.

He proposed Abu Dhabi as an ideal location to establish a global technology hub, catering to various sectors including renewable and traditional energy, space technologies, digital systems, and transportation.

“Abu Dhabi location is ideal to make it as a global technology hub for different sectors such as renewable and traditional energy, space technologies, digital system, transport, and autonomous transport,” Eugene Borisoff, Deputy Director of Internet Initiatives Development Fund.

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Abu Dhabi’s role as a global technology hub

Dr. Elena Faizrakhmanova, Chairman of the Tatarstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, positioned Tatarstan as a hub for investment across industries such as trade, agriculture, and e-commerce.

“We are in the center of the European part of Russia. Tatarstan has industry trade, agriculture, e-commerce and leading in investment climate for 10 years,” Dr. Elena Faizrakhmanova.

At the same time, Eugene Borisoff, Deputy Director of the Internet Initiatives Development Fund, advocated for Abu Dhabi’s role as a global technology hub, catering to sectors ranging from renewable energy to transportation.

Andrei Shestakov, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Tula Region, showcased the region’s technological prowess and invited investors to engage in innovative projects such as smart roads.

“In Tula, we have excellent human resources and a lot of scientists and engineers. There are many technological projects to invest such as innovative solutions for the smart road,” explained Andrei Shestakov.

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Unique tourism experiences

Bogoslovskaya Marina, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic Sakha (Yakutia), shed light on the unique tourism experiences offered by the region, including gastronomic tourism and pure water production. Despite its cold climate, Yakutia boasts untapped potential in the tourism sector, inviting investors to explore its offerings.

“We offer a unique tourism experience. We have tourists coming for hunting and fishing practically in December. We offer gastronomic tourism and pure water production,” said Bogoslovskaya Marina.

The Russian Investment Forum served as a nexus for dialogue, collaboration, and partnership, providing attendees with invaluable insights into Russia’s investment landscape. As AIM Congress 2024 continues to host dignitaries, speakers, and participants from across the globe, the forum’s impact resonates as a catalyst for mutual growth and development.

With over 150 high-level dignitaries, 900+ speakers, and 12,000 participants from 175 countries, AIM Congress 2024 stands as a testament to global cooperation and partnership. Through 27 joint events in collaboration with over 330 local, international, and global partners, AIM Congress exemplifies the spirit of unity in unlocking the world’s economic potential.