Ahmed Bin Sulayem

Ahmed Bin Sulayem is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC and has driven its growth from a start-up of 28 member companies in 2003 to the world’s leading free zone in 2023 with 24,000+ member companies from 180 countries, employing over 80,000 people.

Tasked with enhancing commodity trade flows through Dubai, DMCC has introduced to the market a number of value-added products and services under Mr Bin Sulayem’s leadership. In 2023, DMCC has been named the ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’ by The Financial Times fDi Magazine, for a record ninth consecutive year.

Mr Bin Sulayem oversaw the exponential growth of the DMCC Free Zone master development in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), a 200-hectare business and residential community in Dubai of over 100,000 people living and working across 87 towers. Mr Bin Sulayem also oversees the development of DMCC’s latest real estate project; the much-anticipated Uptown Dubai district.

Mr Bin Sulayem currently serves as the Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) and the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX).

The Kimberley Process officially appointed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the first and only Arab country to Chair the Kimberley Process in November 2015. Shortly after, the UAE Ministry of Economy officially appointed Mr Bin Sulayem as the UAE’s Chair of the Kimberley Process for 2016.

Julia Suvorova

Artur Galiullin

Vladimir Platonov

Eugene Golotsan

EDUCATION

• Degree: Graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 2000.
• Advanced Degree: Candidate of Political Science, defended his thesis at Lomonosov Moscow State University, 2003.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 2004-2011: Worked in international business communications and media, including roles at UniCredit Group, Expert Media Holding, NTV TV Company, and Practice Communication Agency.
• Since 2011: Serving as Deputy CEO of Incona, a consulting company that facilitates the promotion of Russian businesses in the UAE and Gulf countries.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Expert and Speaker: Frequently participates in events focused on cooperation with the UAE, KSA, and other Gulf countries.
• Publications and Media: Authored numerous publications and has made various media appearances discussing the development of Russian-Emirati investment, trade, and economic cooperation.

Alexander Kukuev

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.

Nikita Makarov

Bassel Bitar

Bassel Bitar is the Senior Manager, Corporate Sales – 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.