Eurasian Balkan Business Forum – Connecting Businesses Across the UAE, GCC, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Balkans

H.E. Rauan Zhumabek is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Arab Emirates. Born on August 24, 1981, he graduated in 2003 from the Ablai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages. He began his diplomatic career in 2004 as a referent in the Department of Asia and Africa at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, later serving in various roles at the MFA headquarters and in Kazakhstan’s missions in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. From 2014 to 2019, he worked in the Presidential Administration’s Foreign Policy Center as an inspector and head of sector. He served as Consul General of Kazakhstan in Dubai from 2019 to 2024, and, prior to his ambassadorial appointment, was Director of the MFA’s Department for the Near and Middle East and Africa from February 2024. He holds the diplomatic rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Class II and speaks Arabic and English.

H.E. Abdulaziz Akkulov was born in 1985 and graduated from Tashkent State Economic University in 2007 with a master’s degree in International Tourism Management. He began his professional career in 2005 at the Uzstandard Agency. Over the next decade, from 2006 to 2017, he worked in various capacities at the National Company “Uzbektourism,” where he gained extensive experience in the tourism sector.

Between 2017 and 2020, Akkulov served in several key roles at the State Committee for Tourism Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including head of department, deputy, first deputy chairman, and acting chairman. In 2021, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan, further solidifying his expertise in tourism and public administration.

On April 11, 2022, Abdulaziz Akkulov was appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Arab Emirates. In this role, he focuses on strengthening bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and the UAE, representing his country’s interests and fostering cooperation in various fields. His career reflects a steady progression from tourism development to high-level diplomatic service.

Viorel Riceard Badea is a Romanian diplomat and politician, currently serving as the Consul General of Romania in Dubai. He was born on June 21, 1968, in Craiova, Romania. Viorel Badea graduated from the University of Bucharest and is known for his long-standing political and diplomatic career.

Before his appointment as Consul General, Viorel Badea served as a member of the Senate of Romania, representing the diaspora. Throughout his parliamentary activity, he was involved in parliamentary friendship groups with countries such as Italy, Iraq, Serbia, Albania, Spain, Egypt, Norway, Lebanon, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. He held various leadership roles, including Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Foreign Policy and Chairperson of the Romanians Everywhere Committee.

Badea initiated 41 legislative proposals during his time in the Senate, with 7 becoming law. In addition to his national responsibilities, he was a member of the Romanian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Within the Assembly, he participated in several committees focusing on social affairs, equality, non-discrimination, and the rights of minorities.

As Consul General in Dubai, Viorel Badea continues to represent Romania, supporting Romanian citizens and businesses in the region and promoting bilateral relations between Romania and the United Arab Emirates.

Henrik Winther is the owner and President of Tigrus Restaurant Holding. A pioneer in the industry, Henrik has 45+ years’ experience building scalable, premium restaurant brands around the world, from the USA (Texas, New Mexico, California, Utah) to Europe – including France, Denmark, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Slovenia and Austria

He is considered a pioneer of the restaurant industry in Eastern Europe, having opened more than 450 restaurants in the last 30 years, including the most recognizable and well-loved brands in those markets. He has created 15 franchise brands, and brought on board over 40 franchisees, who opened over 250 restaurants under him

A master of scale and operations, Henrik created the largest and most comprehensive training center and staff development system in Eastern Europe, using it to train over 40,000 employees in his customer experience ethos, and bringing Western service standards to the ex-Soviet Union after the fall of the Wall.

In addition to building successful businesses, Henrik is also dedicated to ensuring they are sustainable. In fact, Tigrus Restaurant Holding is the first and only restaurant holding to become CO2 neutral in Eastern Europe. Further proving Henrik’s commitment to conservation, he is the founder of Tigrus project, the tiger conservation project www.tigrus-project.com

Neven Roginić is the President of the UAE-Croatia Business Club and founder of Format 3D and L33T Digital Agency. With a strong presence in the Middle East, Neven has positioned Format 3D as a leading architectural visualisation company working with the best real estate developers and investment firms. The company has offices in Europe and Dubai and serves clients worldwide with advanced 3D visualisation and architectural solutions.

In addition to Format 3D, Neven is co-founder of Advising Solutions, a global consulting firm with over 50 experts specialising in industries such as healthcare, finance and technology, helping companies achieve sustainable growth through tailored strategies.

Neven’s academic background includes master’s degrees in civil engineering and agriculture from the University of Zagreb. He was also enrolled in a doctoral programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which has contributed to his expertise in innovation and global business.

At Format 3D, Neven has led projects for high-profile clients across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. Through his work with L33T Digital Agency, he has helped international brands such as Rolex, Apple, SAP and Audi achieve their digital marketing goals.

As President of the UAE-Croatia Business Club, Neven is committed to promoting bilateral trade and cultural co-operation between Croatia and the UAE. The club actively promotes Croatia as an attractive destination for Emirati investment and supports Croatian companies entering the UAE market, with a focus on sectors such as real estate, tourism, energy, agriculture and food production.

With over 20 years of experience in managing international projects and building global partnerships, Neven will continue to create opportunities and facilitate co-operation between Croatia and the UAE.

Mr. Victor Haruta is founder and CEO of Haruta Advisory LLC, a custom business consulting service for internationalization of businesses, having a number of clients from the UAE, Romania, Moldova, United Kingdom, Norway and other countries. Also, in 2023, Mr. Haruta was elected as Secretary General of Moldova Norway Research and Business Development Council, being a founding member of this entity, and in January 2024, Mr Haruta was elected as Vice-chairman and Head of the Government relations Committee of the Eurasia Gulf Business Platform.

Victor Haruta was the first resident Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the United Arab Emirates, posted on the 23rd of September 2018, and served for the full mandate of 4 years. Mr. Victor Haruta was also appointed by the Government of the Republic of Moldova as the General Commissioner of Moldova to Expo 2020 Dubai – the World Greatest Show, successfully organizing the participation of the Republic of Moldova at this global event. Moreover, during his post in Abu Dhabi, Mr. Victor Haruta was appointed as non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Victor Haruta was a career diplomat who started diplomatic activity in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova in early 2006 in the Department for Regional Cooperation, coordinating the economic cooperation of the Republic of Moldova in the wider Black Sea Area, also being the representative of the Republic of Moldova to a number of working groups, steering committees, and governing bodies of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) with Headquarters in Istanbul (Turkey) and Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM with Headquarters in Kiev (Ukraine).

First diplomatic posting abroad Mr. Victor Haruta had in Prague, where he served as the Consul in the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova to the Czech Republic, also leading the Economic Department of the Embassy. During the years 2009-2012, Mr. Haruta was elected member of the board and then Vice-president of the Consular Corps Association. From 2012 to 2017 Mr. Victor Haruta’s activity in the diplomatic service was concentrated on consular domain, serving as Acting Director for Consular Law and Consular Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova for two years, and next three years serving as the Consul in the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2014-2017), also being representative of Moldova in Ireland.

After the posting in London, Mr. Victor Haruta returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, being appointed as Director for Economic Cooperation with the European Union (2017-2018), being responsible for implementation of the economic part of the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and European Union.

Mr. Victor Haruta has two master’s degrees, one in European Studies (Specialization – European Financial and Tax Law) from the University Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Iasi, Romania (2004-2006), and other in International Relations from the Academy of Public Administration in Chisinau, Moldova (2006-2009). Also, Mr. Haruta has a bachelor’s in law (specialty – International Trade Law) from the State University of Moldova (1999-2004).

Professor Kiryl Rudy has had a distinguished career spanning government service, private sector, and academia. He holds a doctorate in economics at Belarusian State Economic University. Prior to that, he was a Fulbright scholar at Indiana University in the United States. Prof. Rudy has written several books on state capitalism, finance, cultural economics and cooperation with China. He has served as Belarus’ Ambassador to China, as well as the economic advisor to the President of Belarus and Belarus’ commercial counsellor at the Embassy of Belarus to China. In addition to government service, Prof. Rudy has held board positions at the Belarusian Development Bank, a Russian crypto-platform, software engineering company, financial outsourcing company and was a top manager at Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei’s office in Belarus. Currently Dr.Rudy is Chief Government Relations Officer at international software company Andersen Lab.

Mr. Adel Alawadhi is a distinguished Emirati business leader, advisor, and executive, recognized for his influential role in both public and private sectors in the UAE and the Gulf region. He is the Founder and Executive Chairman of The Corporate Group since January 2008, leading the company in corporate consultancy, governmental relations, strategic business development, and market entry services for international businesses.

Mr. Adel is the fourth-generation member of the Edris Alawadhi Group of Companies, where he oversees investments, governance, and the succession planning of his family’s enterprises. His experience spans key industries such as retail, investment, infrastructure, healthcare, mobility, transport, and energy. He has advised both private companies and government entities on strategy, innovation, policy, and entrepreneurship programs.

He holds a BSBA in Marketing and International Business from the University of Colorado Denver and an MBA in International Business from the American University in Dubai. In addition, Mr. Adel completed executive programs at IMD Business School, Switzerland, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Leadership Program.

As an angel investor and investment advisor, Mr. Adel supports startups at various stages, especially those in technology, sustainability, and energy. He is known for coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs and helping businesses secure funding, scale, and achieve growth in the region. Fluent in Arabic and English, Adel’s career is marked by significant achievements in acquisitions, partnerships, human capital development, and organizational transformation.

Overall, Mr. Adel Alawadhi is respected as a strategic thinker, business growth catalyst, and community leader in the UAE’s dynamic economic landscape.

Goran Kovacevic is the VP of Business Development and a member of Management at Infinum. For the last 20 years, Infinum has been recognized as a powerhouse in designing and developing custom digital solutions for its clients, with 8 office locations and over 400 people globally.

Born in 1986., Goran graduated from the Faculty of Organization and Informatics in 2011 (University of Zagreb). After graduation, he spent six months working and living in the US.

Goran has been involved in sports (football) since childhood, having played on a semi-professional level. The passion for football in combination with his entrepreneurial nature led him to become a Supervisory Board Member at Dinamo Zagreb in 2024, the most successful football club in Croatia, ranked at 50th place in European football by UEFA.

This role inspired him to gain a professional diploma for the ‘Managing Director in Football’ after completing the program at Barça Innovation Hub – Universitas.

In 2025. Goran became an Advisor & Ambassador of the Swiss eLearning startup SportsXLab.

Since 2022., Goran has been a member of the Board of Advisors at Faculty of Organization and Informatics, a college he graduated from.

Goran has also been an active philanthropist, starting a crowdfunding campaign where he raised and donated over 150.000€ in just one month, for the families hit by a devastating earthquake of 6.4 Mw, near his hometown Sisak in 2020.

Amongst multiple hobbies and passions, in 2016. Goran founded a cover rock band called ‘Ace Ventura’, serving as the frontman of the band.

Mr. Shakhrukh Rakhimov serves as the Director of the Agency for International Cooperation and Development under the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Appointed to this role by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, he brings extensive experience from various leadership positions within the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade and other key organizations.

In his current capacity, Mr. Rakhimov is responsible for enhancing the efficiency of investment projects funded by external borrowings, overseeing pre-project evaluations, and ensuring transparent management and monitoring of their implementation. His work is crucial in facilitating international cooperation and driving development initiatives for Uzbekistan.

Dr. Marko Selakovic is a distinguished academic and business leader, widely recognized for his expertise in artificial intelligence and his influential role in international business relations. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, with a research focus on machine learning and natural language processing, and has published extensively in leading scientific journals and conferences.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Selakovic serves as the Chairman of the Serbian Business Council, where he plays a pivotal role in fostering economic cooperation and strengthening business ties between Serbia and the international community, particularly in the Middle East. Under his leadership, the Council has launched numerous initiatives to support Serbian companies in expanding their global presence, facilitate investment opportunities, and promote knowledge exchange across industries.

Dr. Selakovic is known for his strategic vision and ability to bridge the gap between technology and business. He regularly advises government bodies and private sector organizations on digital transformation, innovation policy, and sustainable development. As a mentor and advocate for young professionals, he is committed to nurturing talent and encouraging cross-cultural collaboration. His dynamic leadership and dedication have made him a respected figure both in academia and the global business arena.

Genoveva Turcu is a highly respected figure in international business and a prominent advocate for economic collaboration between Romania and the UAE. With a strong background in business development and strategic partnerships, she has dedicated her career to fostering cross-border trade and investment.

As the esteemed Chairman of the Romania Dubai Business Council, Genoveva Turcu is instrumental in driving initiatives that strengthen commercial ties and cultural exchange between the two nations. Under her leadership, the Council has become a vital platform for Romanian businesses seeking to enter or expand within the Middle Eastern market, and for UAE investors looking for opportunities in Romania. She is known for her tireless efforts in organizing high-level trade missions, facilitating networking events, and providing invaluable guidance to companies navigating international business landscapes. Her commitment to creating mutually beneficial relationships and her deep understanding of both markets have made her a key player in promoting bilateral economic growth.

Isidora Dabovic is a Diplomat at the Embassy of Montenegro in the United Arab Emirates, where she plays an active role in advancing bilateral relations, supporting consular affairs, and promoting economic and cultural cooperation between Montenegro and the UAE. She brings experience in international relations and diplomacy, backed by her academic foundation from the University of Donja Gorica.

With a strong background in project coordination and cross-cultural engagement, Isidora contributes to strengthening Montenegro’s diplomatic presence in the Gulf region while supporting initiatives that connect Montenegro with international partners.

Alibek Almabekov is the Chairman of the Kazakhstan Business Council in Dubai, actively promoting trade and investment ties between the business communities of Kazakhstan and the UAE. He is also a representative of the Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce, participating in diplomatic and economic events aimed at developing cooperation between the countries.

Nawar Abdul Wahed is a seasoned business consultant in Russian-speaking businesses in the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries. With extensive government and business connections, he navigates the intricate landscape of the region effortlessly.

Currently serving as the General Manager for Arabian MICE and a partner in Valencia Marble Trading LLC and Chief Executive Officer at EurAsia Gulf Business Network, Nawar also holds the esteemed position of Business Ambassador with the Association Russian Club, “Association for the Promotion of Economic, Trade, and Business Relations with the Middle East.”

Over the past two decades, he has been actively engaged in various business ventures across multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, and Georgia. His expertise spans industries such as pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, conferences, information and communications technology, and hospitality, among others.

In addition to his impressive achievements, he is also an accomplished public and networking professional. With his charismatic presence and captivating communication skills, he has been invited to speak at numerous prestigious events and conferences, sharing his expertise and insights with industry professionals.

Nawar’s academic prowess is backed by a master’s degree in economics and social history from Oxford University, enabling him to bring a holistic approach to his consulting work. Additionally, his fluency in Arabic, Russian, and English languages allow for seamless communication across diverse cultures and markets.

Aliona Zaleskaya is a media professional who has Co-Founded all women’s media group, Prickly Pear Production; As Director at WeTel World, hosts television and media programs ranging from WeTel TV’s weekly talk show “Flair For Flaws” and Blockchain Coffee Talks, the UAE’s first and only show dedicated to this area of expertise. She is known for her interviews on Yalla TV and Sustainable Times Magazine; glamorous modeling work on the catwalk and being the subject of multiple fashion photography work.

In 2022 she was featured as CIO Times’ Most Significant Business Leaders Everyone Should Know in 2022.

Aliona is a sought after Master of Ceremonies and a frequent MC of business events both locally and internationally; a number of African Emirati Conferences; TechKogo Conferences, Deal Makers, UAE – Singapore International Business Matching Summit, BIGO LIVE, as well as a host of others. She is the winner of her native Belarus’ first ever reality television program; and in 2022 was awarded the UAE Media Influencer Award.

She is frequent panel Speaker and Moderator at C Level events, to name few – MALT Congress, De Montfort University Dubai, Derivia Middle East.

With a career spanning both sides of the lens, she possesses a rare understanding of the intricacies of media production. From scripting to shooting, directing to editing, she has honed her craft with precision and passion, earning accolades and admiration along the way.

Irina Ryzhakova is a distinguished legal professional and entrepreneur, currently serving as the CEO of Make Fortune Business Solutions, a leading consulting firm specializing in business development and compliance solutions in Dubai, UAE. With over 20 years of experience in the legal field, Irina is a recognized expert in corporate compliance, mergers and acquisitions, anti-money laundering, and international trade law. Her strategic leadership has positioned Make Fortune Business Solutions as a trusted partner for businesses navigating complex regulatory landscapes across Eurasia and the Middle East.

In her capacity as CEO, Irina has been instrumental in driving the growth of Make Fortune Business Solutions, fostering innovation in business setup, tax compliance, and corporate governance. Her commitment to excellence and customer-centric solutions has helped numerous companies achieve sustainable growth while adhering to international standards. Irina’s entrepreneurial spirit and ability to build cross-cultural connections make her a valuable advocate for Eurasian businesses expanding into global markets.

Irina’s expertise extends to pioneering initiatives that bridge the gap between legal frameworks and business needs. She recently completed her Master of Laws (LLM) in International Commercial Law at the University of Birmingham, where her research focused on the intersection of international trade regulations and sanctions compliance. This academic achievement underscores her dedication to staying at the forefront of global legal developments and providing clients with cutting-edge solutions.

Before her current role, Irina held key positions in prominent organizations, where she managed cross-border transactions, provided regulatory compliance guidance, and developed frameworks for anti-money laundering. Her ability to navigate the complexities of international business law has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor to companies and stakeholders in various industries.

Passionate about fostering economic and cultural collaboration, Irina actively engages with the Eurasian business community. She shares Eurasia Gulf’s mission of promoting connectivity, transparency, and innovation, and she strives to empower businesses to thrive in an ever-changing global environment. Fluent in Russian and English, Irina combines her legal acumen with a forward-thinking approach to make a lasting impact on the organizations and communities she serves.

Dr. Bader AlBusaiyes is the Founder and Managing Partner of AlSuwaiket & AlBusaiyes Lawyers and Legal Consultants, where he has led the firm since 2006. A licensed lawyer and arbitrator certified by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London) and an approved arbitrator at leading global arbitration centers across Europe, the GCC, Asia, and the UAE.

With more than two decades of legal expertise, Dr. AlBusaiyes has advised government entities, multinational corporations, and investment groups across sectors such as energy, oil and gas, banking, insurance, construction, and tourism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Law from the American University of London and a Bachelor of Law from King Saud University.

Beyond his legal career, Dr. AlBusaiyes plays a strategic role in international trade diplomacy. He is actively engaged in EurAsia Gulf as a General Manager of Riyadh Office, where he helps build stronger business and investment bridges between the GCC and Central & Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Central Asia. He also serves in leadership positions within several Saudi business councils, including as Vice Chairman of the Saudi Business Council to Latin America.

A frequent speaker and thought leader, Dr. AlBusaiyes is widely recognized for fostering global partnerships, investment opportunities, and cross-border collaboration between the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Ida Pandur is a dynamic entrepreneur and a leading voice in the digital and Web3 landscape, currently serving as the CEO of NEAR Balkans and Tekuno.app, and a Supervisory Board Member at Alice in Blockchains. Based in Dubai, Ida is dedicated to building innovative teams and businesses, leveraging her expertise in digital strategy, marketing, and cutting-edge technology. She is a passionate advocate for the ethical integration of blockchain and AI, actively shaping the future of the Web3 ecosystem in the Balkans and globally.