ABL delegates from across the world gathered again for the General Assembly Meeting in Moscow, May 2014.

Speakers from various sectors attended the debates. Oleg B. Prozarov, Head of the Moscow Office of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Russia, Alexis Rodzianko, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia and Julien Thöni, Head of Economic Affairs, Finance & Science at the Embassy of Switzerland in Russia explained about the current business environment in Russia and issues to be considered by foreign entrepreneurs investing in Russia.

Furthermore Jon Hellevig, Managing Partner of Awara Group, presented Russia’s taxation system and the effects of Putin’s tax reforms 2000-2012 on Russia’s State Tax Revenue & GDP. Mikhail Boyarko, Managing Director of JIB Group informed delegates about private equity investment, the Russian LTD, taxation of investment, foreign investment through Cyprus Holding Structures and mezzanine financing.
Another most interesting panel debate dealt with the challenges and opportunities for investment in Eastern Europe. Pavel Fráňa, ABL member for Prague, presented the Czech Republic as the most attractive country for investment and informed about the ease of setting up a company and buying real estate, tax incentives and special laws facilitating investment and issues to be aware of when investing in the Czech Republic.
Petya N. Dobrenova, ABL member for Sofia, informed about company formation and registration in Bulgaria, ownership limitations, investment incentives and trends.
Katarzyna Dumiénska, ABL member for Wroclaw, explained about operating a business in Poland, foreign ownership of companies and investment incentives.
Robert Sagan, ABL member for Warsaw, described Poland’s labour market, economic development and main areas for investment.
Radu Ionescu, ABL member for Bucharest, addressed company formation & registration in Romania, general and industry specific incentives, labour cost, corruption and the current investment opportunities.

Snapshots of this event can be viewed here.

The next ABL conference will take place in Washington, November 2014. More information will be available soon on our website.