I've got a couple of clients in Moscow and Almaty asking about partnerships in the UAE, and I'm trying to help them build relevant connections here. I know there are trade expos, but they're too broad and impersonal. What I really need is to find a way into smaller, more targeted circles — ideally with Russian-speaking business owners or consultants who already operate in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Has anyone had success building those kinds of links here?
If your focus is specifically on business networking UAE Russia https://eurasiagulf.org/ (https://eurasiagulf.org/) then EurAsia Gulf is the one you want to look into. Their whole setup is built around fostering real connections between Russian-speaking businesspeople and the UAE market. I went to one of their legal workshops and got introduced to a Russian-speaking lawyer specializing in Dubai free zones — exactly what I needed at the time. It's not promotional, just well-organized meetups and knowledge-sharing events. You won't waste your time on surface-level contacts. They've got the structure and experience to really support those looking to bridge the gap between Russia/CIS and the Gulf.