Gazprom-Media Announced a Project for a Joint Center for Creative Industries at the First Russia-UAE Business Forum

At the First Russia-UAE Business Forum in Dubai, Aleksandr Zharov, CEO of Gazprom-Media Holding, presented a comprehensive roadmap for the two countries’ strategic partnership in the field of media. The key initiative was a proposal to create a Russia-UAE Center for Creative Industries.



In his speech at the “Architecture of Long-Term Growth: New Opportunities for Both Countries” plenary session, Aleksandr Zharov emphasized the enormous untapped potential of the two countries’ cultural, technological, and ambition-driven alliances in Russian-UAE relations. He highlighted the attractive conditions of the UAE, including the tax regime, rebate system, and the state-of-the-art production infrastructure, which will become key factors for investment.

Gazprom-Media Holding is already actively developing three main areas of cooperation:

·      Movie distribution. The holding company Central Partnership has released 11 Russian movies in the UAE since 2023, including «Cheburashka», «Vyzov» (The Challenge), and new releases for 2025. Plans include transitioning from single releases to systematic work, including joint cultural events.

·      Filming in the UAE. The holding has successful production experience in the Emirates, for example, two seasons of the show «Vyzhit’ v Dubae» (Survive in Dubai). An expansion of the international project lineup is planned for next year, including a feature-length movie, provisionally titled «Kanikuly v OAE» (Holidays in the UAE), which is being prepared for submission to the Abu Dhabi rebate program.

·      Co-production. Gazprom-Media Holding is negotiating with UAE’s major media structures, including Abu Dhabi Media, Etisalat e-life, and MBC Group, on joint projects in content and distribution.



To consolidate these efforts, Gazprom-Media Holding has initiated the creation of a Russian-UAE Center for Creative Industries. According to the initiators’ plan, it is will become a platform for co-production, research initiatives, startup acceleration, and educational programs. The Center’s project is already being discussed with the relevant ministries of the UAE.

Gazprom-Media’s strategy is aimed at building a systemic partnership with representatives of the UAE’s creative industry. Apart from creating the Center, it stipulates expanding mutual distribution on digital platforms, joint marketing activities, and mutual integration of media ecosystems, including through specialist and student exchanges.

The plenary session of the forum was attended by Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism of the United Arab Emirates; Aleksandr Zharov, CEO of Gazprom-Media Holding JSC; Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment of the United Arab Emirates; CEO, ADQ Holding; Rustam Minnikhanov, Head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan; Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman, CEO, DP World; Vitaly Sergeichuk, Board Member, VTB Bank; Mahdi Amjad, Founder and Executive Chairman, OMNIYAT Group.

The forum was organized by the Russia-Emirates Business Council (REBC) with the support of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Roscongress Foundation, and the Marathon Investment Group. Gazprom-Media Holding served as the event’s media partner.