Online Silk Road Spotlight & Pitches: Eurasian Balkan Series – 11.06.2026

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.

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.

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).

David Jakić’s business journey began in entrepreneurship, a path that accelerated his learning and development in ways that few experience so early in their careers. Over the years, he has built a diverse and international professional portfolio that spans start-ups, SMEs, global corporations, advisory roles and high-impact strategic positions across multiple markets.

He has worked extensively on international expansion, commercialisation and the acceleration of business growth, consistently demonstrating the ability to enter complex environments, identify opportunities and design strategies that deliver measurable value. His expertise lies in solving intricate commercial challenges, scaling organisations, and driving performance by aligning vision, strategy and execution.

David attributes much of his success to his ability to build, lead and train high-performing teams. He has led agile and responsive organisations, drawing on a trusted global network of partners while navigating challenging negotiations with a strong commercial orientation and a calm, strategic mindset. His leadership style is grounded in clarity, collaboration and disciplined decision-making.

He firmly believes that meaningful growth happens when business leaders and management teams work together with transparency and shared purpose. By engaging closely with executive teams, David helps organisations develop actionable solutions that not only address immediate challenges but also unlock long-term value and sustainable expansion.

Today, as Director at Blackstar Partners, he plays a central role in shaping investment strategies, overseeing commercial development, and advising companies seeking market entry, transformation or international scaling. His global perspective, strategic insight and results-driven approach make him a key contributor to organisations aiming to elevate their performance and expand their footprint across competitive markets.

Mahmood Abdulla is a Global Emirati Voice and one of the Middle East’s most influential LinkedIn thought leaders, shaping strategic narratives at the intersection of technology, human capital, and national strategy. Recognized for mobilizing conversations on AI transformation, workforce futures, economic diversification, and soft power diplomacy, he has become a trusted advisor across government, the private sector, and emerging ventures.

He serves as Advisor to Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), advancing its positioning as a global AI powerhouse, and as Strategy Advisor to Lab49, a U.S.-based consulting firm specializing in digital innovation for financial services. He is also Advisor of UAE Affairs to Eternal, a UAE-born health tech startup pioneering personalized cancer treatment solutions. In addition, Mahmood supports a growing portfolio of UAE startups and has forged strategic brand partnerships across AI, fintech, and investment ecosystems — amplifying visibility and unlocking growth at both corporate and sovereign levels.

Professionally, Mahmood is Manager – HR Business Partner in Retail Banking & Wealth Management at a leading UAE bank, with experience across healthcare, Big Four consulting, and financial services.

He is a graduate of the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management.
Through LinkedIn, he has transformed content into capital, voice into influence, and influence into opportunity — serving as a national amplifier for the UAE’s next generation of innovators, leaders, and global storytellers.

Stefano Ferrara joins the Advisory Board of the UAE Croatia Business Club as a seasoned technology executive and strategic advisor. With over 15 years of experience driving sales excellence and multi-million dollar revenue growth across EMEA and Emerging Markets, Stefano brings a global perspective on scaling revenue operations and go-to-market strategies.

Currently building a portfolio of Non-Executive and Advisory roles, Stefano partners with ambitious startups and scale-ups in high-growth domains including AI/ML, SaaS, and Cybersecurity. He specializes in helping organizations refine their core strategy, navigate complex market expansion across the Middle East, and transition operations beyond “founder-led selling” to scalable, high-performance structures.

His advisory expertise is founded on a distinguished corporate career. Most recently as a Senior Director at Gartner, Stefano built sales teams from scratch that delivered 86% year-over-year growth. Prior to this, he managed strategic accounts at Cisco AppDynamics, where he secured landmark deals within the region’s banking sector.

A dual citizen of Croatia and Italy, Stefano has resided in the UAE for over a decade. Fluent in Croatian, Italian, English, and Spanish, he possesses the cultural insight and commercial acumen to serve as a vital bridge between the Gulf and the Balkans. He holds a Master of Science in Strategic Management from the University of Pisa. Outside of his professional pursuits, Stefano is an avid traveler and reader who regularly competes in half marathons as part of his personal quest for health and longevity.

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.