Dubai – MENA Herald: Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, recently organised a five-day trade mission to Russia along with 36 UAE companies from diverse sectors. During the mission, Dubai Exports led 18 UAE companies from the foods sector to participate in the UAE pavilion at World Food Moscow, one of the leading international exhibitions for the food trade. Camelicious, for Camel Milk & Products, and “Agthia” were among the notable UAE participants at the World Food Moscow this year. As part of the mission, Dubai Exports also hosted business forums and bilateral meetings in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, with the support of the Union of Russian Chambers of Commerce. Participants explored prospects for co-operation in investment and trade between companies from the UAE and Russia in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, construction materials, cosmetics, food, detergents, and consumer products. His Excellency Ali Ibrahim, Deputy Director General of DED who led the mission, said: “The UAE and Russia have been maintaining strong relations across various fields. The Dubai Exports trade mission and business forums held in Moscow and Saint Petersburg was part of ongoing efforts by the Department of Economic Development and its agencies to support local companies to leverage the trade and investment environment in the emirate for expanding their operations and products, regionally and globally.” The business forum held in Moscow was attended by a large number of Russian businesses and senior officials of the Union of Russian Chambers of Commerce as well as representatives of investment agencies and local institutions. The forum saw productive exchanges regarding co-operation between the private sectors in both countries, economic prospects as well as legal and customs requirements governing exports. The Saint Petersburg forum also attracted a high level of attention from the local business community. Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports, commented: “Russia is one of the world's largest economies and a huge consumer market of 142 million people, which makes it an attractive target for UAE companies. Dubai is witnessing exports to Russian markets rising and a 31% increase was seen in 2014 compared to the previous year." Al Awadi said the members of the delegation were also briefed on the services provided by the Dubai Exports overseas office in Moscow. Dubai Exports provides exporters with the necessary assistance in the local market while its overseas offices focuses on potentials in promising foreign markets and on promoting bilateral trade with such markets. The overseas offices also surveys markets in the neighbourhood of their location and works on opening and developing new channels to those markets. UAE companies are then invited to build on new export opportunities across trade missions, exhibitions, and bilateral meetings with suppliers and businessmen in the overseas market.
