Join our event, ‘Made For Trade Live’ in Yerevan, held in partnership with Armenian Businessmen Association to find out how to easily set up, run, and expand your business in Dubai with DMCC – the world’s #1 free zone.
A global hub for innovation, growth, and trade – Dubai’s attractive policies, proximity to surrounding markets, centralized time zone, lifestyle and business opportunities make it one of the world’s best destinations to do business. Ideally located in the heart of Dubai, DMCC’s award winning community offers businesses easy access to industry-specific ecosystems, world-class infrastructure, bespoke services and exclusive networking events to support your success.
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Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
DMCC
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.
Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Republic of Armenia
Innovation, together with a passion for excellence, coupled with healthcare expertise and enterprise, acumen are hallmarks of the career of H.E. Dr. Nariman Al Mulla - Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Armenia.
Dr. Al Mulla has more than 20 years of extensive experience as one of the leaderships figures in the UAE government, private sectors and GCC in both healthcare as well as business development entrepreneur.
In 2023, Her Excellency Dr. Nariman Al-Mulla was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to the Republic of Armenia and has significantly enhanced bilateral relations, particularly through her strong emphasis on economic diplomacy. Notable achievements include the successful liberalization of the visa regime for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, which has streamlined travel and bolstered business opportunities between the UAE and Armenia. She has also played an instrumental role in launching the UAE-Armenian Business Forum, a pivotal platform fostering extensive dialogue and partnerships between companies and governments of both countries. Ambassador Al-Mulla's proactive initiatives have not only strengthened economic ties, promoting increased trade and investment flows, but have also enriched cultural exchange and diplomatic engagement, laying a solid foundation for sustained bilateral cooperation and mutual prosperity.
In 2020, she was appointed as the Consul General of the UAE in Melbourne. Her main effort was to enhance bilateral trade relation between the two countries.
She worked hard to spearhead certain initiatives designed to strengthen ties to her host government and community. During her post in Australia; she turns out well to promote key initiatives and webinar including but not limited to: the UAE model in health diplomacy; presenting to the Victorian government the successful model of the UAE in managing and combating Covid-19 pandemic not only nationally but assisting other countries, several lectures with Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) on the same subject.
promoting the very active sports diplomacy of the UAE and how sport can be a tool for policymaker to create stronger ties between people and tackle different issues like poverty, gender equality and climate change. In addition, HE tried to strengthen the partnership between Hamdan Bin Rashid Center for Heritage and the academia in Malborne (cultural diplomacy), establishing up the prospect for cooperation between Abu Dhabi police and Victoria institute of forensic medicine and mental health.
After her visit to the Morsi Catholic College, one of the oldest churches and nuns' home in Victoria; Dr. Al Mulla presented a speech addressing the UAE’s support to human fraternity. The outcome of this visit was that for the first time in Australia's history, the "Interfaith Dialogue" has been added to Morsi's curriculum to promote the spirit of acceptance of all religions among students.
During her three years post; the consulate main focus was to develop strategies to attract Direct Foreign Investment to the UAE via different webinars and meetings with the Australian officials and companies; connecting people to people and building a strong network with the government and private sectors.
Leverage passion in business development; the capstone project of this efforts was convincing one of the largest Australians holding Private Public Partnership (PPP) Company to invest in the UAE. Currently their total investment in UAE is around US$3.1B in PPP projects.
2020; The consulate General in Melbourne obtained the best Consulate General and that was a substantial recognition from the ministry.
In 2012 Dr Al Mulla joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation to start her diplomatic path and deeds on reforming the Department of Economic Affairs and International Organizations. She also has excellent experience in public diplomacy and her passion is largely focused on enhancing bilateral business and trade relationship, health diplomacy as a new soft power and how foreign policy can contribute to health diplomacy, and global health security as integral to foreign policy.
Dr. Al Mulla was a team member in the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to be office; where she worked on strategic portfolios. she was among the team that worked on the re-election of UAE for Human Rights Council in UN in 2015 for a period of 2016-2018.
Prior to joining MOFAIC, H.E has served in various leadership positions in the UAE government and private sectors with an outstanding accomplishment; including a healthcare advisor to the minister of Health, Chief Liaison Officer between the Minister Offices of the Prime Minister and the Presidential Cabinet.
On private sectors level; she worked as a Chief Operation Officer (COO) in Al Qudra Holding for three years where she was responsible for executing the company’s business plan to meet those goals and achieve that vision.
Coming from a highly professional and academic medical background, Dr Al Mulla has outstanding research and academic achievements, with several peer publications and researches/book in the field of human electrophysiology and she was a member of several prestigious medical associations. Furthermore; she was designated to be an observer for the Royal College of Physician of Ireland examination in UAE.
She became a member of INSEAD's alumni association after completing the Middle East Health Leadership Program in 2010.
During her study and career path, she has received several awards from the government for her outstanding achievements and significant contributions to advancing the UAE's economic and trade cooperation with other countries. The latest one was the “Zayed the Second Medal”, awarded by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in early 2024.
Finally, H.E speaks fluently English, Arabic, and Swedish and her hobbies embrace swimming, scuba diving, reformer Pilates, and reading.
Regional Director,
Brinks Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Gregory Zbar is a seasoned security and risk management professional with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Since 2023, Gregory has served as the Regional Manager for Brinks Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where he continues to drive strategic operations across the region.
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Director and founder,
Signum
Ms. Nika Manukova brings over 20 years of international and regional expertise in engaging and managing relationships with the private sector, building public-private partnerships, and leveraging private investment to create a greater development impact in Armenia. An entrepreneur by heart, Ms. Manukova has led innovative, market-led approaches to rural development challenges, including forming strategic partnerships, both internationally and in Armenia’s free economic zones (FEZ). Her efforts in investment mobilization and transaction origination have led to more than $750M in private investment.
Well respected in her native Armenia, Ms. Manukova has engaged extensively with government and private stakeholders through public-private dialogue on issues related to technology adoption, resource management, and corporate governance. Her financial and BDS advisory support led to the development of five agroclusters and agro-collection centers, improving production in rural areas. Ms. Manukova has worked on more than 80 agriculture, technology, and agrotourism projects, assisting organizations in obtaining export-ready business equity financing.
An adept manager, Ms. Manukova has overseen teams of up to 250 staff, a $200M portfolio of development programs, and provided coaching to 150 staff on use of project management tools and best practices, results-based management, and private sector engagement strategies. Each year, Ms. Manukova provides training for eight female empowerment business projects serving over 1,500 participants, developing business plans and strategies to attract investors. Her exceptional communication skills and ability to build relationships with high-level government entities and large private stakeholders have helped her develop an extensive professional network. She is a member of multiple business associations, including Mantashyans and MADAME.
Chief Executive Director,
Armenian Businessmen Association
Chief Executive Officer at Armenian Businessmen Association, diplomacy etiquette lecturer at Russian-Armenian University, and public figure.
Senior Manager, Corporate Sales – Asia and Eastern Europe,
DMCC
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.
