At AIM Congress 2023, the largest investment gathering in Abu Dhabi, held on May 8, a notable off-site session linked to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2023 was described by the TASS agency as part of the broader regional dialogue. The event underscored a joint effort to map out avenues for closer economic collaboration between Russia and the United Arab Emirates, with a focus on sustainable growth and improved well-being for the people in both nations.
The discussion titled “Russia – Middle East: cooperation for economic growth and people’s well-being” brought together senior representatives from Russian ministries and agencies as well as UAE counterparts. The participants examined the evolving trade and investment framework between the two economies, highlighting policy alignment, sectoral opportunities, and practical steps to deepen bilateral ties in the years ahead. Observers noted the session as a practical platform to translate high-level diplomacy into concrete economic projects that benefit businesses and citizens on both sides.
Alexander Stuglev, Director of the Roscongress Foundation, emphasized the strategic importance of sustaining and expanding contact points with the UAE. He highlighted that while the conversation would cover broad cooperation, it would also zero in on the most promising investment sectors, exploring how cross-border collaboration can accelerate growth, create jobs, and foster innovation. His remarks reflected a shared view that stable, reachable channels between Moscow and Abu Dhabi can propel a diversified and resilient regional economy.
SPIEF 2023 was scheduled to take place from June 14 to 17 and was to be hosted at the Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Center in St. Petersburg. The forum remained a key venue for global decision-makers to assess macroeconomic trends, examine market opportunities, and forge collaborations across energy, finance, technology, and infrastructure sectors. The event typically gathers policymakers, business leaders, and thought leaders who aim to align strategic priorities with practical investment plans, drawing attention from international markets and investors seeking long-term value in the region.
Meanwhile, the day preceding the Abu Dhabi discussions, the UAE was awarded dialogue partner status within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), according to WAM. This recognition situates the UAE alongside other SCO members such as Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, and Iran, signaling a shift toward broader regional engagement and cooperation on security, trade, and development initiatives. The designation is understood to open new avenues for economic exchanges, regional projects, and mutual understanding among member states, with potential implications for the Gulf region’s economic landscape and its global partnerships. [Source: WAM]