March 17, 2016 Africa Business Initiative Launches in Moscow

(Moscow – March 17, 2016) – Squire Patton Boggs’ Moscow Office held a launch event for the Africa Business Initiative in partnership with the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, on 17 March. The initiative, devised by the firm’s Moscow office and the Institute for African Studies, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, aims to bring together key representatives from large Russian corporates, government and the academic community as a working group to focus on helping Russian companies to enter and work in Africa, both in exclusive as well as internationally integrated projects.

The event was very well attended by high-profile officials and business representatives and personally by Mr. Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Minster of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative of the President of Russian Federation in Africa. Among the nearly 70 guests were senior delegates from major Russian companies and financial institutions, the Russian Ministry of Trade, the Eurasian Union Commission, the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and from several Russian and African Business Councils.

The event was also well attended by the African diplomatic community, with the personal presence of ambassadors or senior embassy staff from Burundi, Chad, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Madagascar, Senegal, Algeria, Djibouti, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and South Africa.

Squire Patton Boggs has partnered with the Institute of African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences to lead this initiative from the outset. Speaking at the launch, alongside Mr. Bogdanov, were Professor Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute for African Studies, Dr. Eloi A. Maxime Dovo, His Excellency Doyen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Madagascar, Mr. George Petrov, Vice-President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Nataliya Zaiser, Squire Patton Boggs Public Policy Advisor in Russia.

Commenting on the successful launch, Moscow office managing partner, Sergey Treshchev, said: “We are very pleased to work with the Institute to support this initiative. With extensive experience of projects in Africa, and a longstanding record of collaboration in cross-border business deals, we are looking forward to sharing our insights into the opportunities and challenges facing business organizations across the continent.”

Squire Patton Boggs is one of the world’s strongest integrated legal practices. With 45 offices in 21 countries, the firm is renowned for its local connections and global influence, delivering comprehensive legal services across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. With expertise spanning all key sectors, the firm is also known for its preeminent public policy practice and deep-rooted relationships in Washington DC and Brussels. For more information, visit www.squirepattonboggs.com