Online Silk Road Spotlight & Pitches: Eurasian Balkan Series – 24.02.2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

I am a UAE National, licensed to appear before all courts of the UAE. I have received a Bachelor of Law Degree from Dubai Police College and having over 16 years of experience practicing as a respected criminal lawyer and litigator in the UAE.

Before practicing law, I had worked for over five years with the Dubai Police obtaining the rank of police captain, developing an intricate knowledge of the UAE criminal system and weaving an extensive network of professionals working in the area of criminal law and enforcement in the GCC region.

I have also been trained in commercial arbitration at various locations around the GCC including Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and registered as an arbitrator in Sharjah Arbitration Centre.

I’m driven by a mission to unlock unparalleled market access and sustainable growth for businesses venturing into or expanding within the dynamic MEA region.

My career has been dedicated to orchestrating complex transformations, from spearheading transformation initiatives that redefine operational excellence. I bring a unique blend of expertise in M&A strategy and seamless business integration, ensuring that every strategic move translates into tangible, integrated success. I thrive on turning intricate challenges into strategic advantages, guiding organizations through pivotal moments to achieve their full potential in new markets. Let’s connect to explore how we can enable your next growth chapter.

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.