Marwan Saleh

Director of Sales and Business Development,
Free Zone, DMCC

Marwan Mohamed Saleh is the Director of Sales and Business Development, Free Zone at DMCC. He brings over 25 years of work experience in strategic planning, marketing and business development, driving international sales and realising business objectives.

Prior to joining DMCC, Mr. Saleh was the Head of Business Development and International Sales at the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC).

Mr. Saleh is well-known for his extensive work with Etisalat Afghanistan from 1996 to 2015. He began his career journey as a Government & Corporate Segment Manager. Demonstrating excellence and business acumen, he then climbed the corporate ladder to become Vice President for Etisalat Afghanistan between 2011-2014, before
assuming the role of the CEO at Etisalat Afghanistan.

Mr. Saleh completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). He also holds multiple certifications in leadership and organisational leadership from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard Business School.

Aleksander Kukuev

Managing Partner,
UPPERCASE LEGAL

Alexander Kukuev specializes in international support for Russian holdings and financial-industrial groups, sanctions issues, enforcement of Russian court judgments and commercial arbitrations abroad, as well as supporting the activities of family offices.

Previously, he headed the legal departments of Russian manufacturing companies and specialized in supporting Russian businesses in Europe, the UK, and the African region.

Public activities:

• Tutor University of London (RANEPA-UOL dual qualification program)
• Official legal representative of the EU office of the Dalai Lama in the CIS countries

Education:

• BPP University, Legal Practitioners Course; QLTS School, Solicitor of England and Wales education program;
• Moscow State Law University named after O. E. Kutafin, Law;
• Moscow State Institute of International Relations, European Union Law program;
• Modern Humanities Academy, Economics.

He enjoys playing hockey, yachting, and skydiving.

Ratmir Proskurnov

Deputy Managing Partner, Head of International Legal Practice,
UPPERCASE LEGAL

Ratmir Proskurnov overseeing complex projects at the intersection of multiple jurisdictions that require strategic, legal, and GR solutions.

With fifteen years of experience working in non-bank financial organizations as a head of legal departments, he has also led AML and compliance departments in Russian and international companies. He has developed personal data processing and protection systems, including GDPR standards. Ratmir has supported M&A deals complicated by foreign elements (Ireland, Germany, Austria).

He is a member of specialized working groups and expert committees on the development and improvement of legislation in the field of finance and AML at the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, the Association of European Businesses, the All-Russian Insurance Association, the American Chamber of Commerce, and the Federal Antimonopoly Service for the protection of the rights of financial services consumers from imposition and unfair practices.

Ratmir graduated from the Saratov State Academy of Law (Faculty of Russian and International Law, diploma) and received a master’s degree in Financial Law. He also completed additional education at LOMA (LIFE OFFICE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, USA), LEVEL 1, «LIFE INSURANCE».

He is fluent in English and Russian.

Ratmir enjoys sports and loves classic American and English literature.

Inha Khadzko

Head of Project Management,
UPPERSETUP

Bassel Bittar

Regional Representative – Asia and Eastern Europe,
DMCC

Bassel Bitar is the Regional Representative – Asia and Eastern Europe at DMCC, the world’s leading Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise.

Joining DMCC as a Team Leader in 2015, Bassel is responsible for promoting the benefits of doing business in Dubai and setting up companies in DMCC.

Prior to joining DMCC, Bassel held senior sales positions at both Etisalat Telecom and Emirates NBD in Dubai.

Bassel earned a Bachelor of Business administration degree in Hotel Management and tourism from the National American University in 2002.