MEMBER SERVICES:JJoobb BBaannkk:: ppoosstt yyoouurr jjoobb ooppeenniinnggss oonn oouurr wweebbssiitteeCERBA attracts a lot of job�seekers who possess very specific skills.Posting your opening on our website will enhance its visibility and out�reach to potential candidates and will give you the opportunity to tar�get the desired audience. For CERBA members we are offering thisservice as a part of the membership package, but it is also availablefor non�members for an extra fee.

IInntteerreesstteedd iinn PPoossttiinngg aa CCaarreeeerr OOppppoorrttuunniittyy??Career postings can be listed on our website for:Members � freeNon�members � $200 + tax

Career postings should be sent to your local CERBA RegionalDirector electronically. Submissions are accepted in Word or PDF.Requests for job postings from non�members should include billinginformation or a Visa, Mastercard or Amex number. Positions areposted for 30 days or until resume closing date, whichever is earli�er. For more information please contact your local CERBA RegionalDirector.

RReessuummee BBaannkk::Dear CERBA Members, we are happy to remind you of an added�value service included in your membership package: ResumeBank. Among our dedicated volunteers and interns there are a lotof talented bilingual and multilingual professionals who are search�ing for new career opportunities. If you are looking to fill in a positionwith your company please feel free to have a look at the resumes inthe Member�only section of our website and contact the potentialcandidates directly.

CERBA LINKED�InspiredWould you like to be the first to know what is new in the CERBAcommunity?

Please follow our company page on LinkedIn:hhttttpp::////wwwwww..lliinnkkeeddiinn..ccoomm//ccoommppaannyy//ccaannaaddaa��eeuurraassiiaa��rruussssiiaa��bbuussiinneessss��aassssoocciiaattiioonnReceive regular updates from us and feel free to like, share and comment.

CERBA members, we would like to remind you that you are most wel�come to start discussions, share your views and ask questions in ourexclusive members�only LinkedIn group. Created specifically for the con�venience of our members, this group is anexcellent tool to start a new conversation,bring up a pertinent issue or just reconnect tosomeone who shares the same values.

MEMBERSHIPFor membership inquiries, please contact your regional CERBA office:

TTOORROONNTTOO CCHHAAPPTTEERR � Katherine Balabanova

e�mail: Katherine@cerbanet.org

Phone: 1 (416) 822 4052

MMOONNTTRREEAALL CCHHAAPPTTEERR � Sebastien Dakin

e�mail: Sebastien@cerbanet.org

Phone: 1 (514) 575 6334

VVAANNCCOOUUVVEERR CCHHAAPPTTEERR � Tatiana Domilovskaya

e�mail: Tatiana@cerbanet.org

Phone: 1 (604) 720 2905

AALLBBEERRTTAA CCHHAAPPTTEERR � Frank Kense

e�mail: Frank@cerbanet.org

Phone: 1 (780) 915 1110

OOTTTTAAWWAA CCHHAAPPTTEERR � Sebastien Dakin

e�mail: Sebastien@cerbanet.org

Phone: 1 (514) 575 6334

KKAAZZAAKKHHSSTTAANN CCHHAAPPTTEERR � Taskyn Koshman

e�mail: Taskyn@cerbanet.org

Phone: 7 (747) 555 1319

MMOOSSCCOOWW CCHHAAPPTTEERR � Alex Grichine

e�mail: Alex@cerbanet.org

Phone: 7 (985) 762 1240

MMAANNIITTOOBBAA CCHHAAPPTTEERR � Tom Nevakshonoff

e�mail: Tom@cerbanet.org

Phone: 1 (204) 664 2111

UUZZBBEEKKIISSTTAANN CCHHAAPPTTEERR � Alexander Antonov

email: Alexander.antonov@cerbanet.org

Phone: 998 (71) 253 9205

ALBERTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman

Stephen Parkes (Acting) � PEMD Group Inc.

Directors

Erin Chutter � Global Energy Metals (ex officio

member)

Erkin Atakhanov � Personal Finance Consulting

Laurent Auger � Alberta International

Intergovernmental Relations

MOSCOW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman

Nathan Hunt – Ronald A. Chisholm International

Directors

Alexander Skoblo � Dentons Russia

Anatoly Andriash � Norton Rose Fulbright

Luc Jones � Antal Russia

Madina Assylbekova � Gowling WLG

Matt Wills � John Deere Construction &

Forestry Division

Mikhail Romanov � Ernst & Young

Neil Withers � CFA Russia

Pavel Zhelvis � RusTechnip LLC

Robert Machowski � Hatch

Ron Lewin � TerraLink Technologies

Stanislav Borodyuk � Kinross Gold Corporation

Svetlana Bobrovich � Barrick Gold Corporation

Observers

Annick Goulet � Embassy of Canada in Moscow

Stephanie Loiseau � Embassy of Canada in

Moscow

MONTREAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman

Nicolas Fresne � Former Director of the

Quebec office in Moscow

Directors

Alexandre Borduas � BRP

Ilya Kalnish � BCF

Leo Knaapen � Bombardier

Observers

Jocelyn Neron � Ministere de l'economie, de l'in�

novation et de l'exportation du Quebec

OTTAWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman

Gilles Breton � Former Deputy Head of

Mission, Canadian Embassy to Russia

Directors

Alexandra Logvin � Fasken Martineau

DuMoulin LLP

Christopher Westdal � Silver Bear Resources

Greg Shields � Hyperline

Pierre Pyun � Bombardier

Observers

Cecilia Silundika � AANDC

VANCOUVER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman

Erin Campbell (Chutter) � ECMB Capital

Partners

Directors

Bryan Hughes � EDC

Daniel Kiselbach � Deloitte Tax Law

Dominique Spragg � Viking Air

Dr. Stephen Ramsey � Grey Owl Engineering

John Kitchen � Steveston Net and Gear

John Sloan � Former Ambassador of Canada

to Russia, Armenia and Uzbekistan

Joseph Bonvillain � Manning Elliott LLP

Mel Dhanaraj � Sensei Technologies

Observers

Tulegen Kalau � ENERTEK�Kazakhstan

Victoria Hayes � Ministry of International Trade

(BC Provincial government)

TORONTO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair

Martha Harrison � McCarthy Tetrault

Vice�Chair

Wolfgang Spillner � Logistics Consultant

Directors

Alex Peshekhonov � Global Performance

Improvement Inc.

Alex Shifrin � LP/AD

Alina Pekarsky � Sci�Tech Ventures

Associates; Schulich Executive Education

Centre, York University

Boris Aryev � Stans Energy Corp.

John Coll � Bombardier

Lou Naumovski � CERBA Chairman 2013�2017

Mark Gilbert � Bombardier Commercial Aircraft

Mike Van Akkooi � Kinross Gold Corporation

Robert C Kay � Migao Corporation

Wendy Harris � Canadian Executive Service

Organization

KAZAKHSTAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman

Norman Storm � Condor Petroleum

Vice Chairman

Alex Chernoff � PetroKazakhstan

Directors

Arystan Galiyev � Kazakh Invest

Dmitry Barsukov � Cameco Kazakhstan

Gordon Haskins � Al�Hilal Bank

Kanat Skakov � Dentons

Kirill Afanasyev � Schneider Group Kazakhstan

Rustem Ikramov � CTP Equipment

Ulf Wokurka � Tsesna Bank

Observers

Darren Smith � Embassy of Canada to

Kazakhstan

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORSChairman

GILLES BRETON � International Affairs Consultant

Directors

BORIS ARYEV � Stans Energy Corp.

CHRIS WESTDAL � Silver Bear Resources

DANIEL KIESELBACH � Deloitte Tax Law

ERIN CHUTTER � Global Energy Metals

HONOURABLE J. TREVOR EYTON

MARTHA HARRISON � McCarthy Tetrault

MIKE VAN AKKOOI � Kinross Gold

NATHAN HUNT � Ronald A. Chisholm International

NEIL WITHERS � CFA, Independent Director, Past President CFA Association Russia

NICOLAS FRESNE � Former Head of Quebec mission in Moscow

NORMAN STORM � Condor Petroleum

PIERRE SEIN PYUN � Bombardier

PIOTR DUTKIEWICZ � Carleton University

STEPHEN PARKES � PEMD Group Inc.

Chairman Emeritus

LOU NAUMOVSKI � Non�Executive Director, Amur Minerals Corporation; Consultant, Kinross

Gold Corporation and Advisor on Russia to the World Gold Council

TABLE OF CONTENTSCERBA MAJOR EVENTS 2019

OPINION

CERBA Chairman's Message . . . . . . . . . . . .4

ASSOCIATION NEWS

New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Member News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

EXPERT'S CORNER

Preparing your child for

a Canadian university . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

MAIN STORIES

Canadian Grain Business Mission

to Russia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Kazakhstan Canada Business

Council Energy Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

CERBA Organizes First�Ever Canadian

Trade Mission to Belarus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Sharing the Canadian Best Practices

in CSR: Norilsk City and Norilsk Nickel

Business Mission to Canada . . . . . . . . . . . .20

CERBA Signs a Memorandum of

Cooperation with the Embassy of

Uzbekistan in the USA and Canada . . . . . . .22

CERBA Construction and Infrastructure

Forum in Toronto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

VIII CERBA�Vancouver Mining

Conference on the Margins of AME

Roundup�2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

LOOKING BACK

Events and Association Activities . . . . . . . . .26

CERBA NEWSLETTER Design:

Dmitry Radomsky

MARCH 5

Conference Toronto 19th CERBA Eurasia Mining

Conference within the offi�

cial program of PDAC

APRIL 10�12

Business

Delegation

Mongolia Business Mission to

Mongolia including parti�

cipation in the International

Mining & Oil Expo

in Ulaanbaatar

MAY 10�17

Trade Mission Atyrau, Tashkent Trade Mission to

Uzbekistan and

Kazakhstan, and the

official launch of CERBA

Chapter in Tashkent

JUNE 6�8

Forum St. Petersburg CERBA Business

Mission to St. Petersburg

International Economic

Forum 2019 (SPIEF)

JULY 8�11

Trade Fair Ekaterinburg The International

Industrial Trade Fair

INNOPROM�2019

AUGUST August 27�September 1

Trade Fair Moscow MAKS Airshow

SEPTEMBER 4�6

Forum Vladivostok Canadian Round Table

at Eastern Economic

Forum 2019

NOVEMBER 25�30

Fair Regina Agribition Show

26

Conference Toronto CERBA Eurasia Construc�

tion and Infrastructure

Conference 2019

22 (Date May Change)

Forum Moscow CSR Conference

4 / 2018 Volume I 2018 Volume I / 5

OPINION ASSOCIATION NEWS

Dear CERBA Members,

Amidst the longest shutdown ever to affect the US govern�

ment, the ongoing Brexit melodrama and the "yellow vests"

protests in France, those of us who get most of their news from

Washington, London or Paris sources can only observe that

seldom have so many leading Western countries have been

involved in such existential crises. The ensuing relative politi�

cal paralysis tends to confirm that there can be no major for�

eign policy development in the foreseeable future in what used

to be called East�West relations. This is even more so after the

President of the United States was compelled to state that he

never worked for Russia and seems to have preferred not to

share the contents of his private discussions with the Russian

President. Crucial and meaningful high�level discussions have

become virtually impossible under prevailing circumstances.

There are many layers of complexity to some of the issues that

have given rise to the imposition of sanctions against Russia

and the imposition of counter�sanctions in return. The likely

absence in the near future of any significant attempt to resolve

ongoing disputes implies there will be no changes to the exist�

ing sanction regimes. With sanctions as the "new normal", we

will continue to have to develop our ability to function relative�

ly normally in this constrained environment.

International turmoil may, however, not always have only neg�

ative consequences. In Canada, the risks associated with the

rise in protectionist tendencies, especially in the US, has

firmed up the government's determination to promote the

diversification of our country's international trade. In practice,

this has meant making resources available to organisations

like CERBA that are engaged in the diversification of trade and

the development of new markets. CERBA was already pro�

moting diversification. The fact that the organisation and its

members can now take advantage of additional resources

considerably extends the reach and effectiveness of our trade

promotion activities.

The Eurasian region, with most of its governments vigorously

pursuing innovation and modernisation agendas, is indeed a

very good place to pursue diversification initiatives. In light of

the momentous events currently taking place in that country,

Uzbekistan will understandably receive additional attention in

the coming months. We expect to establish an official CERBA

presence in Tashkent in the first half of the year. Uzbekistan

becoming a more active international trade player will

undoubtedly also have a positive regional impact. In that

respect, we will of course continue to follow up on the suc�

cessful work of the June 2018 Ottawa meeting of the Kazakh�

stan�Canada Business Council.

Diversification efforts have already begun on the other side of

Eurasia, with a first successful trade mission to Belarus in

September 2018. Belarus becoming a Western gateway to the

Eurasian region is becoming a real possibility.

For those who might get their news from other sources than

the above�mentioned capitals, an item of considerable signifi�

cance has quietly moved up on the agenda. Almost three

quarters of a century after the end of WW II in the Pacific the�

atre Japan and Russia finally seem to have engaged in a

negotiation process that would allow them to sign a Peace

Treaty, after having resolved the most difficult outstanding

issue, that is the status of the Kurill islands/Northern Territories.

Among G7 countries Japan was already the one that probably

kept the closest relationship with Russia. The contrast

between the active political dialogue on the Pacific side and

that in the North Atlantic is striking. This is not to say that the

negotiations between Japan and Russia will yield immediate

results. The engagement between Japan and Russia further

illustrates that Russia's turn to the East is not only a matter of

developing the relationship with China. Competing with China,

while taking advantage of the One Belt One Road initiative,

taking advantage as well of possible political advances inside

the Korean peninsula, Japan could further enhance its trade

presence in the region. Taking into account our own growing

interests in the Pacific region, we will have to pay closer atten�

tion to trade possibilities in that part of the world. Without less�

ening our interest for the early summer St. Petersburg

Economic Forum and its global reach, we will seek to enhance

our presence at the September's Far East Economic Forum in

Vladivostok.

Finally, it would be appropriate to use this occasion, even with�

out naming them individually, to welcome the companies and

individuals that have joined CERBA in the last few months. It is

very encouraging for us to observe that, despite the current

geopolitical situation, the core of our membership base

remains stable, and new members are joining our community.

In large merit, this is due to the diligent work of our regional

directors, who are constantly widening the scope of Asso�

ciation's activities and expanding into new markets. By

advancing our own salutary diversification we ultimately create

more business opportunities for our members.

I would like to thank all our members for their support and

trust, and look forward to our interactions at the upcoming

CERBA events in Canada and Eurasia!

""AAll HHiillaall"" IIssllaammiicc BBaannkk"" JJSSCC is

the first Islamic bank in Ka�

zakhstan and the CIS region

established in 2010 by inter�

governmental agreement bet�

ween UAE and Kazakhstan; the subsidiary Al Hilal Bank PJSC �

is one of the fastest growing and innovative UAE banks with

100% Abu Dhabi Government ownership.

Al Hilal Bank PJSC has high investment�grade credit ratings

from Fitch A+ and Moody's A1.

Al Hilal Bank with its head office in Almaty and branches in

Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent provides a wide range of Sharia –

compliant banking products and services for corporate cus�

tomers and individuals.

GGeerraann && PPaarrttnneerrss CCoonnssuullttiinngg PPrraaccttiiccee

Geran and Partners Consul�

ting Practice is a unique team

of experts in management

consulting, design, adverti�

sing, IT, event management

and media relations. The Practice was founded in 2011 and

offers a wide variety of brand development services for clients

ranging from communication strategy development and efficien�

cy analysis of customer interaction, to creating corporate identi�

ty, design, development of digital services as well as managing

business and entertainment events, along with implementing ini�

tiatives in the field of corporate and social responsibility.

With headquarters in Moscow, our practice operates in 7 feder�

al districts throughout Russia. We also have representations in

Europe and USA. The clients of Geran and Partners Consulting

Practice range from small enterprises to the largest Russian and

international companies from the Fortune 500 list. We look for�

ward to seeing CERBA members among our clients as well and

will be happy to assist them in their business development

objectives.

Tel.: +7�495�720�7235

E�mail: info@geranandpartners.com

Website: www.geranandpartners.com

GGrreeeenn TToowweerr GGrroouupp

The "Green Tower" company

has been working since

1994 and it is specialized on

retail, development, con�

struction of commercial real

estate, management and leasing of real estate. Gulmira

Tolganbayeva is the founder of "GREEN TOWER", owner of

business centers "GREEN TOWER", "TRIUMPH" and internation�

al gourmet cuisine restaurant "ENJOY LIFE".

2018 year was very fruitful and productive for our company. This

success is related to the realization of the "GREEN TOWER"

business center project. One of the major indicators are the fill�

ing of 90% of the center project by major, international compa�

nies in the first 6 months from the launch of the project, plus;

obtaining the GREEN Building Awards and the achieving of

green economy certification. All these achievements are related

to the team spirit and our common goal aiming at result and

success, commitment and aspiration to the realization of the

defined goals. The business center "Green Tower" has a tem�

porary blood donation center, and the first business spaces of

the international company "Regus" are also located there in the

Tender space.

Regus offers ready�to�use offices with all necessary equipment

and a sufficient amount of working space. The office could be

leased for any necessary time period: from one hour to several

months. There are also several meeting rooms for 6 people, one –

for 8 people and one large meeting room for 25 people. All

rooms are supplied with necessary equipment, are very com�

fortable for the organization of training, conferences, meetings

and presentations.

IInnffrraaBBiizz iis a Business Deve�

lopment and Sales Consulting

Company specialized in Infras�

tructure dedicated to promoting

our Client's Products and Ser�

vices in North America Con�

struction Market.

We have a combined experience of more than 100 construction

years, working in more than 30 countries in 6 continents. The

key sectors we serve are Heavy�Civil Structures, Transit &

Transportation and Mobility Solutions, Renewable Energy,

Mining and Buildings.

InfraBiz has an innovative business model, proven successful in

Go�To�Market, Channel�To�Market, Support�In�Market and

Development Activities. This model promotes businesses and

generates opportunities for our clients.

InfraBiz offers the following services:

Go�To�Market: Market Research, Roadmap Development,

Business plan Development and Establishment of Local

Subsidiaries.

Channel�To�Market: Introduction to Public and Private Entities,

Identify Target Projects and Build Pipeline and Opportunity

Creation.

Support�In�Market: Post Tender Interaction, Contract Nego�

tiation and Project Management.

Development: Product Certification, COR Certification, Deve�

lopment of Marketing Materials, Pre�Qualifications, Tender and

Project Support.

Contact:

Mario Rosado, CEO

Tel.: +1 (647) 261�8256

m.rosado@infrabiz.com

www.infrabiz.com

KKaazzaakkhh IInnvveesstt �� NNaattiioonnaall CCoommppaannyy

Kazakh Invest was established by the

Government of Kazakhstan to attract

high�quality inward investment to the

country. We provide a full range of ser�

vices to support investment projects �

from the conception of initial ideas right through to project

implementation, as well as providing retained support for estab�

lished businesses.

Kazakh Invest is a "one stop shop" for current and potential

investors, acting as a single point of contact to support busi�

nesses on their investment journey.

Gilles Breton, Chairman of the CERBA National Board, Co�Chairof Russia Canada Business Council

CERBA CHAIRMAN'SMESSAGE

NNEEWW MMEEMMBBEERRSS

6 / 2018 Volume I 2018 Volume I / 7

ASSOCIATION NEWS ASSOCIATION NEWS

AAnnttaall RRuussssiiaa

• In October, Antal Russia won TThhee CCrryyssttaall PPyyrraammiidd 22001188 by HR

Directors Summit committee http://hrsummit.ru/en – annual

leading conference for HR professionals and business leaders.

This is the result of our constant development within the indus�

try and moving forward with latest trends: Digital / Data Security/

IT recruitment; RPO (recruitment process outsourcing),

Outplacements, Carrier consulting & special assessments

including physiological tests and emotional intellect � the newest

trend worldwide.

• Team in Russia was proudly called the

BBrraanndd BBuuiillddeerr 22001188 of the year by Antal

International for the second time in a row.

Online sales platforms and the newest CRM

system are among achievements which we

are proud of as a professional service

provider.

• More than 11 charity projects were support�

ed by our offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg

and Almaty. We have initiated plastic usage

reduction at our Moscow office, fundraised for

art courses, and arranged charity events. We

meet with people in need in person and share

with them kindness and love.

• Our St. Petersburg colleague, Daniil is a

graduate of "Anton tut ryadom" project. The project's main aim

is to integrate people with autism to the society (read more

about the fund: http://outfundspb.ru/wp/). As a recruitment com�

pany we are collecting and merging plenty of the innovations

including equal rights and ageism and therefore we are espe�

cially proud of being part of the progressive world's tendencies

(join us https://antalrussia.ru/news/charity�2019/).

BBoommbbaarrddiieerr RReeccrreeaattiioonnaall PPrroodduuccttss

BBRRPP ooppeerraatteess ddiirreeccttllyy iinn RRuussssiiaa aanndd cceellee��

bbrraatteess tthhee ooppeenniinngg ooff iittss SStt.. PPeetteerrssbbuurrgg

ooffffiiccee

St. Petersburg, Russia, October 2, 2018 �

BRP (TSX:DOO; NASDAQ:DOOO) oper�

ates directly in Russia since July and today

celebrates the official opening of its office

in the country. In March, the company

announced it would be introducing a direct distribution model in

Russia to support its overall growth strategy.

"With the ongoing introduction of new products providing

incredible experiences, we continue to keep our momentum

globally, and Russia is no exception. Our objective is to

strengthen our presence in the country to be better position to

serve our consumers there," said Jose Boisjoli, President and

Chief Executive Officer at BRP.

The BRP office will be located in St. Petersburg and will support

the dealer network established across the country. Consumers

will continue to have access to innovative products such as Ski�

Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea�Doo personal watercrafts,

Can�Am off�road vehicles, Can�Am three�wheel vehicles and

Evinrude outboard engines.

"Russian consumers and BRP have a long history," explained

Steve Pelletier, BRP's Vice�President and Regional General

Manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). "After

25 years on the Russian market, we have developed a healthy

understanding of the local industry and with the BRP local team

now based in St. Petersburg office, this will help us raising the

bar in offering an even greater experience to our Russian con�

sumers."

BRP already uses the direct distribution model in 21 major mar�

kets including the United States, Canada, China, Japan,

Germany, France, Scandinavian countries, Australia, Mexico

and Brazil. In these countries, BRP sells its products directly to

approximately 3,200 dealers. In other countries, BRP works with

about 180 distributors who serve 1,000+ dealers.

AAbboouutt BBRRPP

We are a global leader in the world of powersports vehicles and

propulsion systems built on over 75 years of ingenuity and inten�

sive consumer focus. Our portfolio of industry�leading and dis�

tinctive products includes Ski�Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea�

Doo watercraft, Can�Am on� and off�road vehicles, Alumacraft

and Manitou boats, Evinrude and Rotax marine propulsion sys�

tems as well as Rotax engines for karts, motorcycles and recre�

ational aircraft. We support our lines of product with a dedicat�

ed parts, accessories and clothing business to fully enhance

your riding experience. With annual sales of CA$4.5 billion from

over 100 countries, our global workforce is made up of around

10,350 driven, resourceful people.

Kazakh Invest has a wide network of international representa�

tives in many of the world's major industrial centres, combining

local Kazakh expertise with global investment experience.

KKaazzaakkhh IInnvveesstt''ss rroollee

• We are a single point of contact for international investors con�

sidering investing in Kazakhstan. We represent the interests of

international businesses by seamlessly connecting them with

government bodies, regulators and local government organisa�

tions so that they can easily identify high�quality opportunities for

investment.

• We are a single point of access to the public service system.

This includes helping investors understand what government

support is available and how to apply and secure the permits

and documents necessary to invest in Kazakh businesses.

As the primary point of contact for inward investment, Kazakh

Invest significantly reduces the need for foreign investors to

interact with multiple governmental and regulatory bodies.

This streamlined process means that the average length of time

it takes to set up a business in Kazakhstan is only nine days �

well below the regional average.

At Kazakh Invest, we combine decades of local business knowl�

edge with the ambition and tenacity international investors

require in a competitive globalised market.

MMiicchhaaeell GGeelllleerr

Michael Geller is a Vancouver�

based architect, planner, real

estate consultant and property

developer with four decades'

experience in the public, private

and institutional sectors. He

also serves on the Adjunct

Faculty of Simon Fraser Univer�

sity. He is a regular contributor

to the Vancouver Courier and Vancouver Sun and a frequent

commentator on urban issues across Canada.

He is president of The Geller Group which specializes in planning

and real estate consulting for a variety of large and small�scale

residential and mixed�use projects. He also undertakes small

property developments on his own, or in partnership with others.

Michael has been honoured as a Fellow of the Canadian

Institute of Planners and Life Member of the Architectural

Institute of BC.

Michael is well known in Moscow, he actively participates in a

number of prestigious events, including Moscow Urban Forum

supported by the Government of Moscow.

OOTTCCLL GGRROOUUPP IINNCC

OGI is an International Trade &

Investment corporation with its

HQ in Toronto, Canada and

offices and major operation cen�

tres in India.

OGI has evolved as a unique

International Trade & Investment

group grown out of a manufac�

turing business enterprise in

Manitoba Canada. Originally

conceived to promote Trade between Manitoba and the emerg�

ing economies, OGI successfully established itself as the most

reliable and credible supply chain management enterprise. Our

corporate objective and goal has been to focus on following

sectors.

1. Forestry Products & Ancillary industries

2. Natural Resources sector (Minerals & metals)

3. Agriculture & Food Processing (Turnkey projects)

4. Energy & Power sector supply

5. Housing & Urban development (Products & Services)

OGI is actively involved in supplying Newsprint, Pulp, Chemicals

& ancillary products for publishers and Paper Mills. Developing

new sources of commodities and technologies as needed in

growing population lead demands. Our team consists of

Professionals trained in the planning and management of all

activities. OGI gets involved in sourcing and procurement, con�

version, and total management including coordination and col�

laboration with all channel partners, third�party service pro�

viders, and customers. In essence, we undertake total respon�

sibility for linking major business functions and processes with�

in and across companies and geographies into a cohesive and

profitable business model.

OTCL Group Inc has another division of highly specialized and

target focused team of experts for Mergers & Acquisitions and

Investments in emerging areas with goals to provide highest

possible ROI.

PPOOSSIITTRROONN

Positron, a Montreal Export

Canada award winning high

technology company esta�

blished in 1970, entered the

Russian market in 2017.

Positron selected several products that have been very suc�

cessful internationally as door openers.

Positron's power utility products division has concluded suc�

cessful trials of its testers that report the health of energized

insulators in substations and on transmission lines. By detecting

conductive defects with 100% reliability, they preventing power

outages, fires and damage to critical infrastructure. They are an

essential safety tool for personnel working on or near high volt�

age facilities and they enable utilities to schedule maintenance

before a defect becomes dangerous.

Positron's telecommunications division's BRX line amplifier/

extenders enable telephone companies to more than double

the internet speed, double the customer serving areas and

increase reliability to subscribers in the "last mile" rural and

suburban areas on the existing copper infrastructure at a frac�

tion of the cost of fiber. Trials in Russia and Belarus have been

successful.

Positron recently participated in the CERBA mission to Belarus

and signed an agreement with JSC "Promsvyaz", a well estab�

lished manufacturer in Minsk, to assemble, market and support

its BRX line amplifiers for RUE "Beltelecom", the national tele�

phone company and for the EAEU countries. Contracts are in

negotiation with several carriers.

"We are pleased with the progress that we have made in a short

time and look forward to growing our business in Russia and the

EAEU. We appreciate the support of CERBA, the Trade

Commission of the Russian Federation in Canada and the

Embassy of Belarus in Canada", underlined Reg Weiser, CEO of

Positron.

MMEEMMBBEERR NNEEWWSS

BRP grand opening of St. Petersburg office

8 / 2018 Volume I

ASSOCIATION NEWS ASSOCIATION NEWS

eventually join as co�organizers thus making the Inter�associa�

tion PR & Marketing Committee become a truly international

project in its scope and nature.

The Committee will unite the community of high�level experts in

external communication representing major Russian and inter�

national companies, involved in variety of different sectors,

countries and professional associations. It will provide PR &

Marketing professionals with the platform for networking, market

researches, dialogue and exchange of opinions about the cur�

rent challenges and opportunities in the field, obtaining valuable

information about the recent trends in Russia and abroad in

media relations, digital, SMM, marketing communication, and

similar issues. There will be approximately 6 committee meet�

ings per year, once every two months.

It is expected that support by major international business asso�

ciations will provide the committee with the resources to attract

distinguished speakers to its sessions, such as commonly rec�

ognized gurus of PR & marketing and famous journalists to pres�

ent and share their expertise in front of the committee members.

We look forward to greeting representatives of CERBA Member�

companies at future committee meetings.

CCoollllaabboorraattiioonn CCeennttrree MMAARRSS

Having professional skills

means not only to perform

one's job well, but also to

offer the market more than it

can expect. Gulmira Tolgan�

bayeva, founder of the group of companies GREEN TOWER,

owner of business centers GREEN TOWER, TRIUMPH and intel�

lectual gourmet cuisine restaurant ENJOY LIFE, learned to be

proactive and recognize innovations for 25 years of entrepre�

neurial experience in construction and management of busi�

ness centres and restaurant business.

An idea of creation of the first collaboration centre MARS in

Kazakhstan appeared after a business trip to the international

conference CERBA in Toronto (Canada). The sightseeing trip

around the city and acquaintance with the business life gave

great emotions and inspired establishing collaboration centre

for business elite in her business centres. The title of the collab�

oration centre MARS means the abbreviation of first letters of

following words: Motivation�Ambition�Resourceful�Smart.

The main mission of the MARS collaboration centre is aimed at

the eco�friendly organization of business area of people who

spend over 60% of their time at work. The main goals of newly

created structure include as follows:

� neutral area for holding business and personal meetings,

� leisure and resting area to have short breaks from

operational vanity,

� networking platform for meeting and acquaintance and

sharing important information with all stakeholders

� holding conference calls with remote suppliers, partners

and representatives of tenant companies

� place for the organization and running centralized

and social events

� holding issue�related meetings for fast acquisition

of knowledge and improving skills at interdisciplinary level

The "Success Area" created will expand the acquaintance net�

work, arrange professional leisure of employees of companies,

gain new knowledge, allow learning more about colleagues on

their venues, increase loyalty, and organize events for compa�

nies and their employees.

One of the important areas of the Collaboration centre is the

Internation Academy of Management and Entrepreneurship ID�

GROUP engaged in training and improving skills of managerial

staff. The collaboration of the MARS centre and ID�GROUP

Academy allow creating management elite of Kazakhstan and

increase the value of human capital of the country.

HHaattcchh cceelleebbrraatteess tthhee uunnvveeiilliinngg ooff

ttll''uugghhuuss wwiitthh RRiioo TTiinnttoo aanndd FFiirrsstt

NNaattiioonnss ccoommmmuunniittiieess

Rio Tinto, together with the Haisla First Nation and Cheslatta Carrier

Nation, have reached a key milestone towards completing the

C$600�M Kemano Second Tunnel (T2) project with the unveiling of

tl'ughus, the tunnel boring machine that will dig a 7.6 kilometers of

tunnel to ensure the long�term reliability of renewable power to the

BC Works aluminium smelter in Kitimat, British Columbia.

Hatch has been selected by Rio Tinto to provide engineering, proj�

ect, and construction management (EPCM) services for the project.

Rio Tinto has involved the Haisla First Nation and Cheslatta

Carrier Nation to ensure that indigenous cultures and traditions

are respected. The Cheslatta Carrier Nation selected the name

for the TBM � tl'ughus � after a legend of a giant monster snake

that bored through the mountains, a story that shares many par�

allels with the Kemano T2 project.

EEnn++ GGrroouupp::

IInn OOccttoobbeerr 22001188 En+ Group installed

an upgraded runner on its Krasno�

yarsk hydro power plant (HPP). The

new equipment will increase reliabili�

ty and efficiency of hydro turbines.

The modernized runner will become operational in the begin�

ning of 2019.

The modernization program of its HPPs is a crucial element of

the broader development strategy of En+ Group. It focuses on

reliability of assets and ensures continuous improvement of En+

Group environmental and climate performance. En+ Group esti�

mates that the project will result in annual growth of HPPs by 1.9

TWh and partially substitute it's coal�fired power plants output

thus reducing of GHG emissions by 2.3 mt CO2.

In November 2018 En+ Group reported its 9M and 3Q 2018

financial and operational results. In 9M 2018, En+ Group's rev�

enue increased by 8.2% y�o�y to USD 9,434 million. Adjusted

EBITDA grew by 13.0% y�o�y to USD 2,618 million in 9M 2018.

En+ Group's net profit for the period increased by 80.7% to

USD 1,623 million from USD 898 million in 9M 2017.

En+ Group electricity production grew by 5.6% y�o�y and

totaled 53.23 TWh in 9M 2018. Hydro power output increased

by 3.1% y�o�y to 42.9 TWh in 9M 2018. Aluminum production

increased by 1.7% y�o�y to 2.8 million tons in 9M 2018; total alu�

mina production of 5.8 million tons remained stable y�o�y.

AAbboouutt EEnn++ GGrroouupp::

En+ Group (http://eng.enplus.ru/) is a leading vertically integrat�

ed power producer with a strong operational hub in Siberia,

Russia. En+ Group combines power plants with a total installed

capacity of 19.7 GW (including 15.1 GW of hydro power assets).

The geographic location of the assets gives En+ Group unpar�

alleled competitive advantages: access to cheap and low�car�

bon hydropower and proximity to perspective regions of global

consumption � the Asia Pacific.

EErrnnsstt && YYoouunngg

RReesseeaarrcchh iinnttoo iinnvveessttoorrss'' aattttiittuuddeess

ttoowwaarrddss eennvviirroonnmmeennttaall,, ssoocciiaall aanndd

ggoovveerrnnaannccee ((EESSGG)) iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn aanndd

nnoonnffiinnaanncciiaall rreeppoorrttiinngg,, aass wweellll aass iittss

rroollee iinn tthheeiirr ddeecciissiioonn��mmaakkiinngg

The EY Climate Change and Su�

stainability Services team has issued

its 4th research report, which provides insight on how investors

have come to place ever�greater importance on the role that

environmental, social and governance (ESG) information and

nonfinancial reporting factors play when evaluating compa�

nies in which to invest. This year's study reveals a notable con�

sensus on the importance of ESG or nonfinancial information in

investor decision�making. Globally, investors expect more abun�

dant and more useful reporting of material nonfinancial perform�

ance information at a consistent and high level of quality.

Key points:

• an increasing reliance on ESG;

• increasing demand for higher�quality non�financial data

from public companies;

• while disclosures have improved, they remain uneven;

• more concern over the physical risks of climate change;

• demand for investment�level non�financial accounting stan

• collaboration is critical to close the information gap between

investors' need for nonfinancial information and the

information provided by issuers.

What does this mean for organizations in Kazakhstan? The

Government of RoK is making strong efforts to develop the

Kazakhstan stock market, improve its liquidity and raise foreign

investments. Large international institutional investors place

strong reliance on ESG and non�financial information of issuers.

Therefore, we believe there are four main areas that companies

should consider:

1. Establishing a structured materiality analysis process.

2. Measuring social and environmental outcomes.

3. Measuring long�term value.

4. Reporting more comprehensively on all climate risks and

engaging with stakeholders, including investors.

CCoonnttaacctt iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn

For additional information, please contact

the following professional:

VViiccttoorr KKoovvaalleennkkoo

EY Kazakhstan

Director, Climate Change and Sustainability Services

Tel.: +7 727 258 5960

Victor.Kovalenko@kz.ey.com

GGeerraann && PPaarrttnneerrss iiss aabboouutt ttoo

llaauunncchh aann IInntteerr��aassssoocciiaattiioonn PPRR

&& MMaarrkkeettiinngg CCoommmmiitttteeee wwiitthh

CCEERRBBAA ssuuppppoorrtt

CERBA is happy to support the

initiative of its Corporate Member Geran&Partner to establish a

Moscow�based Inter�association PR & Marketing Committee

and will join the project as one of the co�organizers. It is expec�

ted that other major foreign business associations in Russia will

Krasnoyarsk Hydro Power Plant

2018 Volume I / 9

Gulmira Tolganbayevais a founder of thegroup of companiesGREEN TOWER, ownerof business centersGREEN TOWER,TRIUMPH andintellectual gourmetcuisine restaurantENJOY LIFE

10 / 2018 Volume I 2018 Volume I / 11

ASSOCIATION NEWS

The fully assembled tl'ughus, 190 m long and weighing 1,300 t,

was transported from Germany. It will excavate 250,000 m3 of

rock to build 7.6 km of the new tunnel. Expected to be com�

pleted by 2020, the T2 project includes the excavation of the

new tunnel and the refurbishment of an 8.4 km portion of the

second tunnel remaining from the mid�1990s. Construction of

the second tunnel will ensure the long�term reliability of power

supply to the Kitimat smelter from the Kemano powerhouse.

Steven Hinton, project manager for Hatch, who attended the

ceremony, said, "We are very proud to support Rio Tinto on their

journey to long�term, sustainable operations. Rio Tinto is com�

mitted to preserving the environment and engaging with the

local community to maintain a clean and reliable power supply

for the Kitimat smelter, and this aligns with our vision of creating

a better world through positive change."

KKiinnrroossss GGoolldd CCoorrppoorraattiioonn

KKiinnrroossss RRuussssiiaa rreecceeiivveess

ttoopp rraannkkiinngg ffrroomm WWoorrlldd

WWiillddlliiffee FFuunndd

Congratulations Kinross Russia, who recently received the top

ranking in the Environmental Transparency Rating of Russia's

Mining and Metals Companies' by the World Wildlife Fund

(WWF) Russia.

The award evaluates company's environmental management

as well as its impact and information disclosure for 2018, then

compared the findings with year�over�year data to analyze its

progress.

In 2017, Kinross Russia received first place under the environ�

mental responsibility rating of mining and metals companies, fur�

ther strengthening its leadership position in its ranking for 2018.

"Recognition by the WWF Russia for the second year in a row is

a testament to our consistency in implementing the highest envi�

ronmental standards at Kinross," said Claude Schimper,

Regional Vice�President, Russia. "The result is a well�deserved

award for all of our employees who are focused on minimizing

environmental impacts in their daily tasks."

WWF Russia and Russia's National Rating Agency work with

support from the United Nations Development Program, the

Global Environmental Fund and the Russian Natural Resources

and Environment Ministry to compile the rankings.

KKiinnrroossss CCEEOO aatttteennddss tthhee 3322nndd aannnnuuaall FFIIAACC mmeeeettiinngg iinn RRuussssiiaa

J. Paul Rollinson, President & CEO, recently attended the 32nd

annual Foreign Investment Advisory Council (FIAC) meetings in

Russia.

FIAC brings together executives from across the world with

operations in Russia to discuss opportunities to enhance the

investment climate in the country by tapping into their expertise

and experience.

Paul presented a case study that focuses on potential socio�

economic benefits of increasing the strategic "threshold" for

ASSOCIATION NEWS

gold deposits in Russia. The idea for this particular case study

was first voiced by the Russia Ministry of Natural Resources and

Environment at last year's FIAC meetings.

As one of the major investors in Russia's Far East economy,

Kinross has continuously shared its expertise and provided rec�

ommendations to the Russian Government and the country's

professional community. Since 2011, we have presented a

series of studies and recommendations to further improve the

investment climate in the country's mining industry, some of

which have been adopted by the government.

"We have a shared interest to realize Russia's high potential to

become a leading global mining country and first�rate jurisdic�

tion," said Paul. "It is our hope that this study will provide useful

input for discussions on additional stimulus needed to attract

investments in geological exploration and gold mining in

Russia."

The Council was chaired by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at

his personal residence in Moscow and was attended by 31 glob�

al executives, including executives from Total, Mars, Nestle and

other. Kinross is the only Canadian company on the Council, and

also represents the only operating mining company.

KKiinnrroossss aatttteennddss 22001188 EEaasstteerrnn EEccoonnoommiicc FFoorruumm iinn RRuussssiiaa

Kinross Russia recently attended the fourth annual Eastern

Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Russia. This was Kinross'

4th year participating in the forum.

The EEF brings together international investors, Russian busi�

nesses, and federal and local governments to build and

strengthen relationships to enhance Russian Far East region's

economic potential.

Claude Schimper, Regional Vice�President, Russia, participated

in two panel sessions focused on furthering incentives to attract

geological exploration and mining in Russia's Far East.

Kinross also had a booth at the Forum that was well attended by

Company stakeholders, government officials and event partici�

pants.

VVTTSS JJeettss

VTS Jets, a company speci�

alized in maintenance of busi�

ness jets manufactured by

Bombardier, notes a significant

increase in their volume of work

and a double growth in the

number of the company's customers. From 2016 till 2018 the

average growth of company performance efficiency had been

80�85 % annually, and today VTS Jets accounts for a significant

part of the whole volume in the market of Bombardier aircraft

maintenance.

In May 2018, VTS Jets successfully passed an annual EASA

audit to expand the approved scope of work and reached the

maximum possible level for line maintenance of these aircraft.

However, the company has an understanding that further

growth in volumes is feasible mainly through the extension of the

approved scope of work in terms of base maintenance. The

VTS Jets' development strategy implies deepening into heavy

forms of business jets maintenance, but this will require signifi�

cant capital investments and personnel decisions, which will

take time and effort.

In July 2018, VTS Jets became a member of the Russian United

Business Aviation Association (RUBAA). General director of the

company, Andrey Akopov, hopes that participation in this orga�

nization's activity will make it possible to achieve fundamental

changes in legislation, specifically in respect to reduction of

import duties and customs VAT. In turn, Mr. Akopov headed the

RUBAA Committee for business aircraft maintenance.

In addition, VTS Jets plans to master the new types of aircraft

manufactured by Bombardier, which are expected to enter the

market � this is Global 7500 (formerly Global 7000) and, in the

future, Global 8000.

From left: Evgeny Shvarts, Director of Conservation Policy, WWFRussi; Vladimir Moshkalo, Head of UNEP Moscow Office; SvetlanaKanevskaya, Director of Customer Service Department, NationalRating Agency; Stanislav Borodyuk, VP and Head of MoscowRepresentative Office

From left: Alexander Ivlev, FIAC Foreign Investors Coordinator, CISManaging Partner, EY; Paul Rollinson, President & Chief ExecutiveOfficer, Kinross Gold Corporation; Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Ministerof Russia

From left: Evgeniya Saevich, Regional Manager, CorporateResponsibility; Stanislav Borodyuk, Vice�President, Head of MoscowRepresentative Office; Stephane Jobin, Deputy Head of Mission atthe Embassy of Canada in Moscow; Claude Schimper, Regional Vice�President, Russia; Ulyana Kurinnaya, Senior Geologist

tl'ughus was named by the Cheslatta Carrier Nation after the legendof a giant monster snake that bored through mountains. It is deco�rated with artwork created by students from the Haisla First Nation

12 / 2018 Volume I

The advantage of such programs is that they not only provide

language and academic courses, but comprehensive support to

international students, assisting them in adaptation to new envi�

ronment and living independently away from home. Such for�

mats as essays, projects, discussions, seminars and workshops

are an essential part of Pathway and Foundation program edu�

cation process that intends to prepare for university life.

Around 95% of Pathway and Foundation program graduates

enter into degree programs of their first choice.

CCaannaaddiiaann hhiigghh sscchhooooll

Pathway and Foundation programs can be called express

preparation for a Canadian university in comparison with a more

substantial and thus expensive way – Canadian high school.

There is considerable flexibility that Canadian secondary edu�

cation system gives both to domestic and international stu�

dents: your child can spend one year or several years in

Canada, you can choose private or public school, school spe�

cializing in working with international or local students or both,

schools that major in sports, science, business and leadership

or arts.

No matter what school you choose in Canada, you can be con�

fident that it is the best thing you can give to your child. It is

something that will help them prepare for the university of their

dreams and instill values of Canadian culture such as tolerance,

equality, independence and care of the environment.

MAIN STORIES

2018 Volume I / 13

Giving your children the

opportunity to pursue

higher education in Ca�

nada means giving them

a chance to gain up�to�

date knowledge, profes�

sional skills to help them up to succeed in the world. A Canadian

degree will work regardless of whether a graduate would prefer

to build a career in Canada or elsewhere.

Getting into a Canadian university is not easy; you need time

and information: the more you learn about admission process

into a college or university in Canada, about requirements and

programs, the more time you allow to prepare for this big step,

the more chances for success you will have.

Below is some useful information about what Canadian schools

require applicants to demonstrate and what types of prepara�

tion are available.

RReeqquuiirreemmeennttss ooff CCaannaaddiiaann hhiigghheerr eedduuccaattiioonn iinnssttiittuuttiioonnss

All higher education institutions in Canada have similar admis�

sion requirements. The degree of difficulty in the selection

process depends on the type of program and school's ratings.

EEnngglliisshh llaanngguuaaggee rreeqquuiirreemmeennttss

It is essential that an international applicant demonstrates a good

command of the English language, a level suitable for undertak�

ing an intensive and challenging academic course that's taught

and examined in English. In order to do so applicants need to

pass a recognized English language test at an appropriate level.

There are a number of standardized tests which are recognized

worldwide. The most popular are TOEFL iBT and IELTS, although

Canadian universities can also recognize Pearson and Cam�

bridge exams. The minimum English language requirements are

usually published on the university or department admission

requirements page.

SSaattiissffaaccttoorryy sscchhoollaassttiicc aavveerraaggee

Universities seek to admit talented students who will honour

their names in the future. Your child doesn't have to be a straight

A student at high school, but it is important to have excellent

marks in their career subjects.

WWeellll��pprreeppaarreedd aapppplliiccaattiioonn ppaacckkaaggee

The process of getting into a Canadian college or university

involves preparing a whole set of documents: filled�in applica�

tion form, translated and non�translated school transcripts, moti�

vation essay and recommendation letter. It is crucial that you do

your paperwork right and send the package before the dead�

line. The selection committee members don't have an option of

meeting applicants and getting to know them in any other way

than through their documents. So your application package is

your main and only representative.

TTyyppeess ooff pprreeppaarraattiioonn

As you might have already realized, you cannot arrange an

effortless entry to a Canadian university for your child. It is a job

in itself. Let's talk about what types of preparation there are out

there to assist you and your child with this job.

IInnddeeppeennddeenntt pprreeppaarraattiioonn

With this type of preparation you need to start 3 or 4 years

before your child intends to enroll at a Canadian university.

Much depends on the level of English they have at the start and

on how intensive the English language course they have cho�

sen is. The most important thing is to reach B2 or Upper�

Intermediate level of English. In addition to this your child should

be a high achieving student at high school.

As for the application package, all administrative and logistical

issues, it is a good idea to use the help of information resources

on the Internet (make sure they are trustworthy) and internation�

al education consultants.

SSuummmmeerr ccaammpp iinn CCaannaaddaa

Independent preparation for a Canadian college or university

can be supplemented with short summer programs in Canada

for youth. They can be organized in a lot of different ways, but

they all provide intensive English language preparation and

immersion English�speaking environment.

Besides morning classes summer programs for teens offer all

sorts of activities. In a summer camp your child will be typically

involved in cultural tours and fun events, while summer schools

will organize leadership programs, additional academic prepa�

ration in IT, arts, entrepreneurship, theater and much more. You

can also find a summer camp specializing in sports. It is com�

mon that a language school providing junior programs arranges

them in 2�6 week sessions with fixed dates.

PPaatthhwwaayy pprrooggrraammss

High school students from different countries wishing to prepare

for a Canadian university in Canada can choose special

preparatory programs, usually called Pathway or Foundation

programs. They can be organized by universities or third party

providers working in partnership with a list of colleges and uni�

versities. Pathway and Foundation programs can be from 12

weeks to 1 year long. You choose the length of the program

according to how much time your child needs to fulfil the aca�

demic and English language requirements of the chosen

degree program.

EXPERT'S CORNER

EEXXPPEERRTT''SS CCOORRNNEERR

Alexey Surin, PhD, Managing Director,"Direct Talk" The Bureau for International Educational Programs

PREPARING YOUR CHILD

FOR A CANADIAN

UNIVERSITY

This highly successful mission was the result of the joint efforts by

the CERBA Moscow and Toronto Chapters, and included the fol�

lowing representatives of Canadian institutions related to the grain

industry: Canadian lnternational Grains lnstitute (CIGI) was repre�

sented by Ms. Lisa Joan Nemeth, Director, lnternational Markets,

Ms. Elaine Janice Sopiwnyk�Meier, Director, Grain Quality, and

Ms. Yulia Borsuk, Technical Specialist Baking Technology, Mr.

Daniel Ramage, Director of Market Development, represented

Cereals Canada, and Mr. Geoff Backman, Business Development

and Markets Manager, represented Alberta Wheat Commission.

On the top: Lisa Joan Nemeth, Canadian lnternational Grains lnstitute (CIGI); Daniel Ramage, Cereals Canada; Geoff Backman, Alberta Wheat CommissionOn the bottom: Elaine Janice Sopiwnyk�Meier and Yulia Borsuk, Canadian lnternational Grains lnstitute (CIGI)

CANADIAN GRAIN BUSINESSMISSION TO RUSSIA

MMAAIINN SSTTOORRIIEESS

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 2244��2266,, 22001188

14 / 2018 Volume I 2018 Volume I / 15

MAIN STORIES MAIN STORIES

The prime objective of the visit was to compare Canadian and

Russian experience in wheat and durum production and pro�

cessing: breeding, seed distribution, producer practices, han�

dling system, measuring and improving the quality of grain and

its end products. Canadian delegates were also interested to

learn about current and future export market priorities in Russia

and overall wheat and durum production projections.

The three�day visit to Moscow started with the morning meeting

with Yves Piquet, Head of Crop Science in the Northern CIS

(Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan) at Bayer Russia, and Redouane

Mekideche, Counsellor (Agricultural Affairs) and Trade Commis�

sioner at the Embassy of Canada to Russia. The meeting pro�

vided the participants with a detailed overview of the agricultural

sector in Russia, with a focus on wheat industry, and also co�

vered the Russian seeds and crop protection market. The day

continued with a meeting with representatives of the Trade

Section at the Canadian Embassy in Moscow, and ended up

with an informal dinner attended by Canadian delegates, their

Russian counterparts, and representatives of Canadian

Embassy. The dinner took place in one of the finest centrally

located restaurants in Moscow, and was kindly hosted by Yves

Piquet from Bayer Russia.

The second day program started with the visit to the CRNS

Agricultural Research Institute "Nemchinovka", founded in 1931,

one of the leading breeding centers in Russia for grain crops,

highly recognized internationally for its numerous achievements

in breeding new varieties of wheat. During the visit, delegates

received very warm welcome from the center's management

and staff � they were introduced to the general activities of the

institute, had a short excursion at the wheat and bread exhibits

room demonstrating the achievements of the center over the

past decades, and even had a chance to taste homemade

bread that "Nemchinovka" staff cooks to check the quality of new

experimental wheat varieties. During the seminar that followed,

Mr. Sergey Voronov, General Director of "Nemchinovka", Bagrat

Sandukhadze, a world�famous breeder of winter wheat, and

other researchers delivered several presentations covering top�

ics related to wheat breeding, such as winter soft wheat selec�

tion, improving baking quality of grain, raising yields in a tem�

perate climate, various methods for winter wheat protection

quality improvement and, grain quality assessment processes.

In turn, the delegates shared with their Russian counterparts tra�

ditional solutions to many grain�related issues widely used in

Canada and participated in Q&A sessions with the Russian crop

scientists. The participants from both sides came to the con�

clusion that improvement of cooperation and experience

exchange between Russian and Canadian wheat breeders

would be of mutual benefit and might help to significantly

improve the quality of wheat grain, and thus secure better

wheat yields in both countries.

The program continued with the visit to the All�Russian Scientific

Research Institute for Grain and Grain Products and meeting

with Ms. Elena Meleshkina, General Director of the Institute. The

Meeting at the Bayer Russia office

Mr. Sergey Savostin, General Director, Flour Mill Plant in Sokolniki (inthe middle) with the delegates

All�Russian Scientific Research Institute for Grainand Grain Products visit

Meeting at the Scientific Research Institute of Baking Industry

At the CRNS Agricultural Research Institute "Nemchinovka"

16 / 2018 Volume I

Jointly with the KAZENERGY Association the Canada Eurasia

Russia Business Association (CERBA) organized the

Kazakhstan Canada Business Council Energy Conference. The

event took place on the 25th of September 2018 in Rahat Palace

Hotel, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The conference was attended by a trade mission of 14 Canadian

companies � KIOGE 2018 exhibitors from a range of sectors: Oil

& Gas, Natural Resources, IT, Logistics and more. The delega�

tion was headed by His Excellency Nicholas Brousseau,

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada in

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.

The Kazakhstan Canada Business Council Energy Conference's

main goal was to get in touch with Canadian companies and to

get acquainted with a range of expertise that they propose to the

Kazakh market.

The main topics of the meeting were the following:

• the latest opportunities for investment and export

in Energy Sector;

• efficient working models alongside the Kazakhstan/Canadian

government and businesses;

• opportunities for capital raising projects in Kazakhstan;

• Canadian and Kazakh industry trends;

• Networking with the experts and industry decision makers.

All participants witnessed another great success of the

Conference the signing the MOU between CERBA and KAZEN�

ERGY Association.

MAIN STORIES

2018 Volume I / 17

meeting was followed by a thorough discussion of classification

system of wheat in Russia and parameters used for wheat and

flour quality assessment. The discussion allowed the delegates

to obtain detailed information about the process of wheat grain

quality assessment in Russia and to identify the differences

between Russian and Canadian wheat classification systems.

On the final day the delegation travelled to the Flour Mill Plant in

Sokolniki, one of the oldest and largest mill plants in Moscow

region, and held a meeting with its General Director, Sergey

Savostin, who was happy to meet with the delegates and dis�

cuss the specifics of flour production in Russia. Mr. Savostin also

kindly arranged for the Canadian delegation a tour around the

plant, where delegates could observe the whole process of mak�

ing flour from the beginning till the end. The delegates were then

taken to the mill's laboratory where they learned about Russian

standards for wheat flour classification and had the opportunity

to participate in flour testing. The Moscow part of the visit con�

culded with a meeting with the top management of Scientific

Research Institute of Baking Industry, hosted by Ms. Marina

Kostyuchenko, General Director of the institute. During the meet�

ing, Canadian delegates were provided with an overview of the

baking industry in Russia, its common practices and standards,

and discussed the differences and similarities between Russian

and Canadian practices.

After completing the Moscow part of the program, the Canadian

delegation proceeded to Rostov�on�Don to learn about Russian

practices in grain transportation and handling.

MAIN STORIES

Flour packaging line

KAZAKHSTAN CANADABUSINESS COUNCILENERGY CONFERENCE

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18 / 2018 Volume I

Canada�Belarus Business Forum, and this is already an accom�

plishment. Canadians see potential in Belarus related industry

and technology', underlined the Chairman of the Chamber of

Commerce. 'CERBA is happy to finally be in Belarus. We have

hosted seven business delegations from Belarus since 2015 and

we have advocated for the normalization of business relations

between our countries for many years. This is the result of all this

work and we hope this is only the beginning. We will certainly

work for deeper business relations', stated Sebastien Dakin,

Director of CERBA and organizer of the mission.

The company Positron announced at the event that it was in seri�

ous discussions with a Belarusian company to manufacture

technology in Belarus to increase the speed of the internet. This

announcement came as a clear example of the opportunities with

the local light industry and its access to the Eurasian Economic

Union. The company Valmetal, manufacturing a range of farm

equipment, was surprised by the level of interest to its products:

'We received many purchase offers, but we need to find distribu�

tors first to support our products on the ground', said Dominic

Poisson, International Sales Manager.

On the other days of the mission, the group received a business

briefing from Schneider Group, a consulting group supporting fo�

reign business in Belarus, they visited Belaz, a producer of the

biggest dump trucks in the world, they visited the China�Belarus

Industrial Park, part of the Belt and Road Initiative, they met with

the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, they

visited the Swiss train manufacturer Stadler, and finally visited the

IT park, hosting some of the largest IT firms in the world.

'Overall, we can say that this first visit in Belarus exceeded our

expectations and it will definitely lay the ground for deeper rela�

tions between Canada and Belarus. We've seen with our own

eyes that Belarus is open for business!', summarized Mr. Dakin.

MAIN STORIES

2018 Volume I / 19

CERBA organized the first official Canadian trade mission to

Belarus with six companies: Bombardier Transportation (railway

technologies), Blackberry (IT infrastructure protection), Positron

Access Solutions (internet solutions), Valmetal (farm equipment),

CanRos (industrial equipment), and Delcreda (credit manage�

ment). The Canadian trade delegation was accompanied by a

high level delegation from Global Affairs Canada: Canadian

Assistant Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stefanie Beck,

Jeremy Wallace (Charge d'Affaires, Canadian Embassy in

Warsaw), Francis Dorsemaine (Senior trade commissioner,

Canadian Embassy in Warsaw), and Mike Popovic (Privy Council

Office of Canada).

The Highlight of the three day program was the Canada�Belarus

Business Forum attended by the Chairman of the Belarusian

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vladimir Ulakhovich, the

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Oleg Kravchenko,

and over 60 representatives of the Belarusian business commu�

nity. The event, taking place at the National Library of Belarus,

provided an opportunity to discuss the status of trade relations

between Belarus and Canada, as well as future opportunities.

‘Canada is a highly developed and industrialized country and

there are multiple opportunities with Belarus. This is the first

MAIN STORIES

CERBA ORGANIZESFIRST�EVER CANADIAN TRADEMISSION TO BELARUS

From Left: Francis Dorsemaine (Trade Commissioner in Warsaw), Jeremy Wallace (Charge d'Affaires, Embassy of Canada in Warsaw), StefanieBeck (Assistant Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada), Sebastien Dakin (CEBRA Montreal and Ottawa Director), Vladimir Ulakhovich(Chairman, Belarus Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Oleg Kravshenko (Deputy Minsiter of Foreign Affairs, Belarus

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 2266��2277,, 22001188

Canadian participants visiting Belaz truck factory

Overview of the Canada�Belarus Business Forum

Sebastien Dakin at the Stadler Minsk factory

National Library of Belarus

20 / 2018 Volume I

An important part of the program was a 2�day visit to the City of

Sudbury. The meeting with the municipal government of

Sudbury uncovered the relationship of the town with its largest

employers, outlined the contribution of the community into the

environmental efforts, informed of the transportation networks,

vibrant arts and culture scene, city's economic diversification

strategy and mining sector heritage. Glencore and Vale tours

and presentations provided the details of the private sector envi�

ronmental policies and achievements in the fields of community

engagement, indigenous peoples relationship, education, safe�

ty and training. The delegation toured the Laurentian University

and many other examples of the local social infrastructure. The

delegates were impressed by the VETAC committee's work: the

City of Greater Sudbury's Regreening Program has focused on

rehabilitating Sudbury's landscape and watersheds; since 1978,

over 3,400 hectares of land were limed and grassed and over

9.7 million trees have been planted � a lot of experience to share

with the Russian remote city within the polar circle. The dele�

gates were interested in the Science North, Living with Lakes

Environment Centre and other ideas that make Sudbury a

unique centre in Northern Ontario.

In Edmonton the group was greeted by Frank Kense, CERBA

Alberta Regional Director and the Chairman of our Alberta

Chapter, Stephen Parkes. The program included the meeting

with the City Councillor, Mr. Henderson, and his colleagues in

charge of the cultural initiatives attracting tourists to Edmonton

in the winter time. Special programs drastically changed the pat�

tern of visitors' flows to the city. The urban planning and design

was also of high interest to the delegates � they walked along

the Pedway, toured the impressive Rogers Place as part of their

brief downtown tour.

Throughout the program the delegates also presented their city

and community development projects in the extreme climatic con�

ditions. Further cooperation steps include the return of operations

delegation of Norilsk Nickel and social programs department.

MAIN STORIES

2018 Volume I / 21

CERBA Toronto Chapter hosted the delegation from the town of

Norilsk and the town�forming enterprise Norilsk Nickel � one of

the world's leaders in nickel production � in mid�October 2018.

The business program revolved around the corporate social

responsibly, sustainable planning and design as well as indus�

trial development of mono cities and land reclamation and re�

greening practices in the mining industry.

The Mayor of Norilsk and the Deputy Director of Norilsk eco�

nomic development agency represented the city while the other

delegates were part of Norilsk Nickel's social programs and HR

departments. The delegation visited Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara

Falls, Sudbury, Edmonton and Vancouver. The business pro�

gram included learning from the Canadian mining companies'

experience of cooperation with local governments, contractors

and communities, meetings with city planning firms.

MAIN STORIES

Greater Sudbury City Hall

Rogers Arena Hockey Hall of Fame

Rogers Arena Hockey Hall of Fame

Edmonton City Hall Meeting

Ed Archer, Sudbury Chief Administrative Officer (left) and RinatAhmetshin, Mayor of Norilsk

Living with Lakes Centre at Laurentian University Visit in SudburyB+H Architects Urban Planning Presentation

Vale Presentation

SHARING THE CANADIAN BESTPRACTICES IN CSR: NORILSKCITY AND NORILSK NICKELBUSINESS MISSION TOCANADA OOCCTTOOBBEERR 1133��2211,, 22001188

22 / 2018 Volume I 2018 Volume I / 23

The CERBA Annual Construction and Infrastructure Conference

was held on November 27th, 2018 at the Metro Toronto

Convention Centre. For the 13th year in a row the Canada

Eurasia Russia Business Association organized its event within

the framework of Construct Canada, the international part of the

Building Show, the largest Canadian building and construction

exhibition of the year in the country.

This year the audience in attendance was addressed by a num�

ber of officials representing Kazakhstan and Russia. The coun�

tries that were also represented by the business and NGO de�

legates were Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, as well as chairman and

CERBA members representing leading construction and infra�

structure companies in the region.

The main themes were focused on urban development, the lat�

est technologies and 'smart cities' projects both in Canada and

Eurasia, bylaws and regulations. Within the two conference ses�

sions, moderated by Bill Hutchison, Honored Research Fellow

at the University of Toronto, Munk School of Global Affairs and

Public Policy, Smart Cities Chair, the speakers shared their per�

spective on expanding business to the Eurasian markets, pro�

vided international examples of innovative projects in

Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia.

Ilyas Akhmetov, Ms. Gulmira Tolganbaeva and Ms. Khulan Khag�

vasuren presented the latest projects from Kazakhstan and

Mongolian, which represent cooperation opportunities for Ca�

nadian companies. At the same time, urban development tech�

niques and innovative construction technologies were defined in

detail by Dave Fletcher, VP, BEHLEN Industries, Alexander

Elgin, B+H Architects and Jack Laken, Termobuild Canada.

The Construction and Infrastructure forum also included the indi�

vidual work of the industry executives at the Construct Canada

Trade Show and a business trip to the town of Parry Sound and

the surrounding area for the Eurasian delegates to familiarize

themselves with the investment opportunities in Northern Ontario.

The Town of Parry Sound in partnership with the West Parry

Sound Economic Development Collaborative organized a full�

day program including factory tours and meetings with local busi�

nesses. Katherine Balabanova, CERBA National Coordinator,

led the delegation and met with the Mayor of Parry Sound, Mr.

McGarvey. The Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce, local

architects, off�the�grid house in Seguin, local manufacturing

companies, Parry Sound Area Industrial Park and Parry Sound

Area Municipal Airport Business Park were visited.

All interested members are encouraged to invite their Eurasian

partners to the CERBA Construction and Infrastructure Forum at

the end of November 2019.

MAIN STORIES

CERBA Toronto Chapter hosted The Ambassador Extraordi�

nary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the

United States of America and Canada, H.E. Javlon Vakhabov

on November the 14th, 2018 at the Ontario Investment and

Trade Centre for a discussion of bilateral business opportunities

with the member companies located in Ontario.

Within the framework of the organized roundtable, the Ambas�

sador addressed CERBA members and stakeholders and pre�

sented the latest transformations in the country's national strat�

egy that provide a lot of opportunities for the Canadian industry

to expand business in Uzbekistan mainly in the spheres of min�

ing and metallurgy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy,

mechanical and electrical engineering, tourism, education and

infrastructure development.

Based on the potentials of economic development between the

countries of Canada and Uzbekistan and taking into account the

need for bilateral development of trade and investment, – the

Memorandum of Cooperation between CERBA and the Em�

bassy of Uzbekistan in the USA and Canada was signed.

CERBA is looking forward to future cooperation, joint initiatives

and the establishment of new business partnerships between

Canada and Uzbekistan.

*All interested companies are invited to explore business in the

region by joining the CERBA mission to Uzbekistan taking place

from May 10�17 (Oil and Gas sector) and May 14�17 (Energy,

Mining, Agriculture, other sectors). Please contact the regional

director in your Chapter to subscribe.

MAIN STORIES

Gilles Breton and H.E. Javlon Vakhabov sign the memorandum ofthe cooperation between CERBA and the Embassy of Uzbekistan toCanada and US

Round table with H.E. Javlon Vakhabov, the Ambassador ofUzbekistan to the USA and Canada

Round table with H.E. Javlon Vakhabov, the Ambassador ofUzbekistan to the USA and Canada

Panel 2 of the Conference, moderated by Bill Hutchison,Distinguished Research Fellow, University of Toronto, Munk Schoolof Global Affairs and Public Policy, Smart Cities Chair, HutchisonManagement Inc CEO

Audience

CERBA Construction and Infrastructure Conference participantsand the organizing committee

Panel 1 of the Conference; Valery Maximov, Senior trade commis�sioner of the Russian Federation to Canada, welcomes the audience

CERBA SIGNS A MEMORANDUMOF COOPERATION WITH THEEMBASSY OF UZBEKISTAN INTHE USA AND CANADA

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24 / 2018 Volume I

Besides outlining the current status and future forecasts for the

resource sector, speakers offered exceptional information on

actual business opportunities in Kazakhstan (Kazakh Invest

investment portfolio for junior mining companies), Mongolia

(Oyu Tolgoi and Erdenet development and opportunities for the

mining suppliers), Russian Federation (government policies on

international investment and opportunities in the Far East,

including Hakandzhinskoe Gold and Silver deposits).

The third panel of the conference � Leveraging Safe

Environment and Sustainable Indigenous Communities � out�

lined best practices and interregional cooperation opportunities

to balance smooth growth of resource sector and healthy devel�

opment of local communities. The panel was moderated by the

Founder and Director of the Resource Works Society, Stewart

Muir. The list of speakers included Vice President and the Head

of Moscow Office of KINROSS Gold Corp., Stanislav Borodyuk,

Director of GLOBE Performance, Mark Heilig, Chair of the

Chukotka Council of Inuits, Liubov Taian, Head of Animal

Kingdom Department at the Chukotka Regional Government,

Egor Vereshchagin, Executive Director of indigenous business

association CANDO, Raymond Wanuch.

The conference attracted over 130 participants including from

provincial and federal government, mining suppliers, engineers,

investors, indigenous associations, experts in international trade

legislation and numerous others. The most important confer�

ence outcomes are initiation of preliminary discussions on

developing cooperation between Chukotka and the BC

Provincial Government and organization of trade mission to

Mongolia Mining and Oil international trade show in April.

The event was attended by the business delegates from Ka�

zakhstan (KSB Engineering Ltd.) and Mongolia (Trigteg Con�

sulting company). The conference was a perfect venue for our

guests to meet potential partners, exchange business experi�

ence and obtain information on how to effectively develop busi�

ness ties with Canadian companies.

We would like to express our gratitude to all the sponsors and

supporters who made our conference possible: Deloitte and

Deloitte Tax Law LLP (host of the conference), KINROSS Gold

Corp. (Platinum Sponsor), SCHNEIDER GROUP (Gold

Sponsor), Global Affairs Canada Vancouver Regional Office

(Silver Sponsor), AFEX (Bronze Sponsor), Pressreader (in�kind

Sponsor, produced the conference brochure) and the long

terms marketing supporter, Association of Mineral Explorations,

our long term partner on this conference since 2011.

MAIN STORIES

2018 Volume I / 25

The VIII CERBA�Vancouver Mining Conference "Creating Value:

Business Opportunities for Resource Industry in Greater

Eurasia" took place on January 29th at Deloitte Conference

Center following the tradition of the last five years. The half�day

conference was opened by the Chair of the CERBA�Vancouver

Chapter, President of EMBC Capital Partners Corp. and the

Honorary Consul of Russia in Vancouver, Erin Campbell

(Chutter) and included three interactive panels.

The focus of the conference was diversification of trade and

growing opportunities for Canadian companies in the Greater

Eurasian markets, as well as environmentally safe industry,

social corporate responsibility and sustainable indigenous com�

munities. The event featured a number of countries such as

Kazakhstan, Mongolia and the Russian Federation in terms of

business climate, new government regulations related to the

resource sector and regional mining projects looking for Cana�

dian expertise, products and technologies.

There are still many questions on economic and geopolitical

landscape, business climate and international trade regulations

that need to be answered when we speak about Eurasian mar�

kets. Two panels of the conference devoted to these matters �

Accessing New Market Opportunities and Fostering International

Trade and Investment in Eurasia Resource Industry – included

presentations from such leading experts in these areas as the

Minister of State for Trade (government of British Columbia),

Honorable George Chow, Deputy Director of Global Affairs

Canada Vancouver Regional Office, Renee Umezuki, Head of

Commercial Section at the Canadian Embassy to Mongolia,

Steven Basadur, Ex�Ambassador of Canada to Russia, Armenia

and Uzbekistan, John Sloan, Founder and Managing Partner of

SCHNEIDER GROUP, Ulf Schneider, Ambassador of Ka�

zakhstan to Canada, H.E. Akylbek Kamaldinov, Ambassador of

Mongolia to Canada, Yadmaa Ariunbold, Head of the Russian

Trade mission to Canada, Valerii Maximov, Partner at Deloitte

Tax Law, Daniel Kisalbach, Professor of the University of British

Columbia, Julian Dierkes, Executive Director of Kazakh Invest

State Company, Dmitry Tkachenko, President and CEO of

Association of Mineral Explorations, Edie Thome.

MAIN STORIES

Hon. George Chow, Minister of State for Trade(BC Provincial Government)

H.E. Akylbek Kamaldinov, Ambassador ofKazakhstan

Renee Umezuki, Deputy Director, GACVancouver Reginal Office

H.E. Yadmaa Ariunbold, Ambassador of Mongolia

First panel of the conference

VIII CERBA�VANCOUVERMINING CONFERENCE ONTHE MARGINS OF AMEROUNDUP�2019

JJAANNUUAARRYY 2299,, 22001199

26 / 2018 Volume I

and a mission to Uzbekistan was being planned. All the devel�

opments were part of the diversification of the activities of the

Association in the wider scope of Eurasian countries and offered

more opportunities in the sectors where Canada excels. This

strategy is very much in line with the diversification of exports that

is on the agenda for the business across Canada.

CERBA continues to provide its members with the most com�

prehensive program of events and activities to expose them to

the broadest possible range of business opportunities in Eurasia.

After the official AGM part, the session continued with the dis�

cussion panel of "Business Experience in Eurasian Markets."

The board initiated the discussion and provided the attendees

with the latest updates and advice relevant to expanding/starting

of business in Eurasian markets. The panel representatives from

Kinross, Bombardier, BEHLEN, Ronald Chisholm and CERBA

Board Directors (Nathan Hunt, Lou Naumovski and Nicolas

Fresne) spoke as keynote speakers and shared their views on

dealing with the local authorities, conducting due diligence, work�

ing with partners, competition, mitigating markets risks � all to

succeed in Eurasia. Gilles Breton moderated the session.

It was also a great honour to welcome the Charge d'Affaires of

the Republic of Belarus, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food

of the Republic of Belarus, and the Consul General of the

Russian Federation as the panel welcome speakers, with the

Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan and representatives of

Global Affairs of Canada as the special guests.

The joint organizing committee of KPMG Canada and CERBA,

Toronto Chapter, hosted a "Business Opportunities Outlook in

Russia and CIS" roundtable discussion on December the 6th,

2018. The event brought together the well�known leaders and

global developers in various industries, who shared their experi�

ences and expertise in doing business with Eurasia.

Maria Cherkasova and Vera Chefranova, KPMG Senior Mana�

gers along with Katherine Balabanova of CERBA welcomed the

audience in attendance and provided introductory remarks and a

comprehensive overview of the Russian economy.

LOOKING BACK

2018 Volume I / 27

The International delegation from the Republic of Belarus was

represented by CERBA in�market partners, the Mogilev Branch

of Belarusian Chamber of Commerce, who brought 7 delegates

to Canada headed by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the

Republic of Belarus, Mr. Brylo. The delegation's members repre�

sented the leading regional agro�farms in Belarus and were high�

ly interested in networking and further cooperation with the

Canadian agro sector.

The business mission consisted of a four�day tour of the Guelph

area, which included meetings and negotiations with the most

significant Canadian agricultural and genetic companies and live�

stock farms. The main topics of cattle breeding, mechanization

of livestock daily routines, genetic material and selection were

touched upon.

Mr. Brylo also met with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and

Rural Affairs of Ontario to discuss the prospects of cooperation

between Belarus and Ontario, as well as the interaction between

the agricultural agencies.

At the end of the business mission, the Deputy Minister com�

mented, "I hope the contacts we have established will pave the

way for a long�term and mutually beneficial cooperation between

our countries in the field of agriculture, one of the most promising

areas that can become a locomotive for Belarus�Canada coop�

eration in future."

CERBA welcomed members at the Annual General Meeting on

September the 20th, 2018. Mr. Breton addressed the board for

the first time as the AGM host in the capacity of the National

Chairman of CERBA.

CERBA gained many achievements and organized new activi�

ties during the previous year. Thus, the Association paid more

attention to its focus sectors of Mining, Oil & Gas, Construction

& Infrastructure, Aerospace and Agriculture. Versatile business

missions to Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan were organized

LOOKING BACK

LLOOOOKKIINNGG BBAACCKK

TORONTO

Igor Brylo, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republicof Belarus (left) and the OMAFRA Deputy Minister Greg Meredith,discuss the agriculture cooperation between Canada and Belarus

Discussion Panel (from left): Lou Naumovski, John Call, NathanHunt, Gilles Breton and Nicolas Fresne

H. E. Dmitry Basik, Charge d'Affaires of the Republic of Belarus (left)and Nathan Hunt, CERBA Moscow Chairman

Robert C. Kay, CERBA Toronto Board Member (left) and Nathan Hunt,CERBA Moscow Chairman

Panel Speakers (from left): Stephane Gagne, VP of Marketing, UCTResearch and Development; Gilles Breton, CERBA NationalChairman; Erin Campbell (Chutter), President, ECMB Capital,CERBA Vancouver Chairman; Kerry Adler, Founder, President andChief Executive Officer, SkyPower Global Group of Companies

Panel hosts and Speakers (from left): Maria Cherkasova, SeniorManager, KPMG; Roustam Graeme Roustan, ICD.D, Founder andCEO of Roustan Capital; Vera Chefranova, Senior Manager, KPMG;Katherine Balabanova, CERBA Toronto Regional Director andNational Coordinator

THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF

THE BELARUS MINISTRY

OF AGRICULTURE AND

FOOD DELEGATION TO

CANADA

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 1177��2222,, 22001188

CERBA NATIONAL AGM

AND "BUSINESS

EXPERIENCE IN

EURASIAN MARKETS"

PANELSSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 2200,, 22001188

CERBA & KPMG "BUSI�

NESS OPPORTUNITIES

OUTLOOK IN RUSSIA

AND CIS" ROUNDTABLEDDEECCEEMMBBEERR 66,, 22001188

Reception

28 / 2018 Volume I

The program started at the CERBA Toronto office with the intro�

ductory meeting with Greg Folinazzo, the Ontario Ministry of

Agriculture and Agri�food Senior Development Officer. Mr.

Folinazzo presented the national agriculture programming sys�

tem and federal programs with the primary mandate to develop

research, science and technology transfer. The main strategic

objectives discussed were as of how Canada increases its agri�

cultural productivity, enhances its environmental performance

and addresses threats to the value chain. The topic provided for

a very engaging discussion that led to the Kazakh and Canadian

markets compartments, specifics and trends discussion.

The presentation flowed smoothly into the next meeting with

International Genetics representatives who answered the dele�

gation's questions about the Canadian genetics specifics, pro�

gram establishment, genomic testing and gender selection. The

meeting also highlighted main focus points to start the dairy and

beef businesses in Kazakhstan, the main challenges to over�

come, etc.

During the next two days, the delegation toured 7 dairy and beef

farms, covering the Guelph, Ingersol, Orton, Erin, Markdale and

Orangeville area. The dairy tour comprised of the J & L Walker,

Naglehouse, and Opdenkelder farms, which specialize in

Holstein breeding and milk production. The visitors were pre�

sented with the robotic operation, cows' daily routine, milking and

feeding procedures, veterinary measures to prevent various sick�

nesses, as well as calf welfare and stages of growth (nursing,

growing and finishing stages). Some of the main points of inter�

est were the individual, parallel (up to 40 cows) and circle (up to

60 cows) automatic milking machinery, computerizes herd sen�

sors and Lely operational system. The group was also advised

on the construction of the hangars, individual pens, temperature

and ventilation specifics, together with one of the largest grain

warehouses and trucks for grain mixing.

The last day tours focused on beef breeding, fattening and facil�

ity organization, thus comprising of Jay Leslie, Paradise, Bar 5,

and Wally Pugh farms. The given locations are known for its

Angus, Hereford and Waigu beef breeding. All farms are also

technologically advanced and operate with the help of automatic

stall cleaning. The main points of interest were beef feedlots, bull

test station, calf nutrition and pedigree. The delegates had an

excellent opportunity to witness the power of genomic improve�

ments, as well as discuss such herd characteristics as confor�

mation, production and longevity, milking temperament among

others.

CERBA Toronto Chapter would like to express its sincerest gra�

titude to Ralph Jardine, Ontario Manager from Select Sires and

Andy Fraser, President of Ontario Angus Association for sup�

porting the delegation and hosting the beef and dairy tours

around all the farms.

On 8th August, at the Executive Lounge Zone of the Renaissance

Moscow Monarch Centre Hotel, CERBA Moscow Chapter held

its Annual General Meeting followed by an informal Hawaiian

party "Aloha, Summer".

LOOKING BACK

2018 Volume I / 29

Acting as the event moderator, Gilles Breton, CERBA National

Chairman, opened the panel discussion with the latest geopoliti�

cal and market overview of Eurasia, then passing the floor to

each of the panel speakers.

Kerry Adler, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of

the Skypower Global Group of Companies, presented the latest

utility�scale solar projects and spoke about the challenges and

positive experiences going to different markets including

Uzbekistan.

Graeme Roustan, ICD.D, Founder and CEO of Roustan Capital

agreed with the previous speaker and shared his story and high�

lights of Bauer's expansion to Russia and Eurasia.

Erin Chutter, President, ECMB Capital and CERBA Board

Director, continued the dialogue with her experience in

expanding the business and raising funds for mining projects

in Eurasia, as well as things that a potential investor from

Canada needs to know.

Stephane Gagne, VIP of Marketing, UCT Research and Deve�

lopment, closed the official panel presentations with an overview

of a joint research and technology project with a Russian com�

pany in the field of cancer diagnostics.

The discussion raised many comments around the table with a

lot of positive and constructive feedback, as well as experience

that was shared by other attendees in regards to their fields of

operation and business expansion in Eurasia and Russia.

The Canadian dairy and meat sector is well known worldwide for

its variety and high�quality production. However, not only strict

biosecurity control, environmental sustainability, and a strong

commitment to animal welfare has led the industry to its World

recognition, but also its genetic programs and innovative use of

technologies in dairy/beef cattle breeding. It is hard to believe,

but 2 operators can easily control 2,000 large livestock farm and

keep track of each animal health data and needs. To introduce

that unique operational system CERBA has developed a spe�

cialized business program for the incoming delegation from

Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

LOOKING BACK

Roundtable discussion

From left: Business meeting (from left to right): Oksana Lukyanova,Director of Green Point International Events, Dr. AkhmedTokbergenov, Kazakhstani Regional Director, International GeneticsLtd., Bill Young, President, International Genetics Ltd, SabirzhanAtayev, General Director, Ak Zhol LLP, Vera Dedyulya, AssistantRegional Director, CERBA, Toronto Chapter

Panel discussion

Nathan Hunt, CERBA Moscow Chairman, and Armin Eberhard,General Manager, Renaissance Moscow Monarch Centre Hotelgreeting the guestsBusiness meeting with Dr. Akhmed Tokbergenov and Bill Young,

International Genetics Ltd

Ak Zhol and CERBA delegation meeting with Paradise FarmsOperators

Agriculture delegation touring the dairy farm

MOSCOW

AGRICULTURAL

DELEGATION FROM

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CERBA MOSCOW AGM &

"ALOHA, SUMMER"

HAWAIIAN PARTYAAUUGGUUSSTT 88,, 22001188

30 / 2018 Volume I

On August 21, CERBA, with the support from the Russo�British

Chamber of Commerce (RBCC), organized a morning seminar

on immigration, relocation and real estate together with Intermark

Relocation. The objective of the event was to familiarize the rep�

resentatives of the international businesses in Moscow with the

recent changes in migration registration policies of foreign citi�

zens and general immigration document application procedure.

The seminar proved to be extremely useful for newly arrived

expats, as well as for expats who already live in Moscow, and for

HR specialists whose work duties include assistance to foreign

employees of their companies.

The seminar started with welcome words by Nathan Hunt,

CERBA Moscow Chairman, and Stuart Lawson, Representative

of the Management Board of the, RBCC, who greeted the guests

and shared their own insights on the topic discussed.

Experts from Intermark Relocation, Andrey Lukash, Head of

Legal Department, Project Manager, Marina Semenova,

Managing Director, Olga Makeshina, Director for Immigration

Services, outlined the main issues related to relocating and get�

ting settled in the Russian Federation, particularly in Moscow,

highlighted recent legal and procedural changes related to

Russian registration policies, and provided a forecast for future

development of the legal base in this area. Intermark Relocation

experts have also provided many useful practical tips on dealing

with registration issues in Russia for various types of foreign vis�

itors, with the primary focus on foreign expats.

The seminar was concluded with the Q&A session and informal

discussion with the speakers.

On October 5, 2018, CERBA, jointly with the American Chamber

of Commerce in Russia (AmCham Russia) organized a meeting

with Mr. Dmitri Trenin, Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center

and a Senior Associate of the Carnegie Endowment for

International Peace. The meeting was attended by representatives

of the Canadian and American business communities in Russia.

Alexis Rodzianko, President, AmCham Russia, and Nathan Hunt,

CERBA Moscow Chairman, moderated the meeting.

During the meeting, Mr. Trenin shared his insights into the cur�

rent geopolitical situation, prospects for U.S.�Russia relations,

future macroeconomic trends, and the policy outlook. After fin�

ishing the presentation, Mr. Trenin opened a Q&A session, which

resulted in a very dynamic and interesting discussion between

the speaker and the audience.

LOOKING BACK

2018 Volume I / 31

The meeting began with welcoming word by Armin Eberhard,

General Manager of the Renaissance Moscow Monarch Centre

Hotel. The floor was then taken by CERBA Moscow Chairman

Nathan Hunt, who provided the guests with an overview of

CERBA’s activities and achievements in 2017�18, as well as the

aims and goals for the forthcoming 2018�19 year. Nathan's pres�

entation was followed by the introduction and greeting words by

the new Corporate Members, who have recently joined CERBA

Moscow chapter. Speakers included Kirill Bychkov, General

Director of Moscow Region Development Corporation; Lawrence

Stein, Vice President for International Business Affairs and

Intellectual Property, Skolkovo Institute of Science and

Technology; Robert Machowski, Managing Director, Hatch;

Valery Kucherov, Regional Service Leader � Safety, Partner,

ERM Eurasia. The formal part of the evening ended with con�

cluding words by Stephane Jobin, Charge d'affaires, the

Embassy of Canada in Moscow.

The meeting was then followed by the informal part � a Hawaiian

style party "Aloha, Summer", where guests had a great chance

to taste real Hawaiian style cocktails and delicious cuisine pre�

pared by the hotel’s chef, enjoy thematic Hawaiian DJ music and

admire the amazing city views of Moscow from the summer ter�

race on the top floor of the hotel. The evening was very well

attended, the audience included representatives of the Cana�

dian, American and British business and government elite.

CERBA would like to express its gratitude to the Renaissance

Moscow Monarch Centre Hotel, and personally to its General

Manager Armin Eberhard, for all of the support provided to

CERBA activities during the past year, and a special thank you

for hosting this particular event.

LOOKING BACK

JOINT CERBA�RBCC

SEMINAR WITH INTER�

MARK RELOCATION:

SETTLING IN RUSSIA �

BRIEF GUIDE FOR

EXPATS AND HRAAUUGGUUSSTT 2211,, 22001188

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MOSCOW CENTER

OOCCTTOOBBEERR 55,, 22001188

Kirill Bychkov, General Director, Moscow Region DevelopmentCorporation

Robert Machowski, Managing Director, Hatch

Lawrence Stein, Vice President for International Business Affairs,Intellectual Property, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

Guests enjoying the reception

Stephane Jobin, Charge d'af�faires, the Embassy of Canada inMoscow

Valery Kucherov, RegionalService Leader � Safety, Partner,ERM Eurasia

Dmitri Trenin, Director, Carnegie Moscow Center

From left: Alexis Rodzianko, President, AmCham Russia, NathanHunt, CERBA Moscow Chairman and Mr. Dmitri Trenin, Director,Carnegie Moscow Center

From left: Marina Semenova, Managing Director, Andrey Lukash,Head of Legal Department, Project Manager, Olga Makeshina,Director for Immigration Services, Intermark Relocation; StuartLawson, Representative of the Management Board, RBCC andNathan Hunt, CERBA Moscow Chairman

32 / 2018 Volume I

On October 26, 2018, CERBA was

happy to cooperate with one its clos�

est partners in Moscow, Polish

Business Club, in organizing the

meeting at Slovak House with one of

the leading experts on the Russian

Economy � Sergey Afontsev, Profes�

sor of the Department of world politi�

cal processes MGIMO, head of the

Department of economic theory of

the Institute of world economy and

international relations RAS, Advisor

to the Roundtable of Industrialists of Russia and the EU.

Mr. Afontsev delivered a presentation on the impact of sanctions on

the Russian economy; shed light on the possible perspectives of

positive macroeconomic trends and potential economic growth of

the Russian Federation using topic�related examples.

Mr. Afontsev also held a Q&A session answering questions from

participants.

The seminar also featured a presentation by Natalya Tchernia�

kova � Deputy Director of the Agency of Economic Information

PRIME, who talked about the specifics of operating a small or

medium�sized business in Russia and provided useful tips on

optimization of the business processes in the company. Her

presentation also covered the issue of

operating a business under economic

restrictions.

The event concluded with the network�

ing reception for participants, which

provided members of the Canadian

community in Moscow with the oppor�

tunity to share experience on doing

business in Russia with their counter�

parts from Polish business community.

On November 11, 2018, members of the CERBA community in

Moscow had a great chance to enjoy the concert of the well�

known Canadian jazz pianist David Braid who performed at Esse

Jazz Club.

David Braid is a Steinway Artist, a Special

Associate Artist of Sinfonia UK, an Artist�in�

Residence at the University of Toronto, and

a Research Fellow at the University of

Leeds. He is a recipient of the Ontario

Foundation for the Arts' prestigious prize:

"Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford

Career Achievement Award for Keyboard

Artistry."

His arrangements and compositions were an integral part of the

Chet Baker�inspired film, "Born to Be Blue" and his jazz score

received praise for its "contemporary patina without sacrificing

period authenticity" (The Times, UK). He also won "Best Original

Score" and "Best Original Song" at the 2017 Screen Awards.

On November 14, CERBA, jointly with RBCC, organized a con�

ference with KPMG titled "Managing Business Risks in Russia:

New Opportunities and Challenges".

The event was opened by Egor Misura, Partner, KPMG, and

CERBA Moscow Chairman, Nathan Hunt, who greeted the

guests and introduced speakers.

The objective of the conference was to provide foreign compa�

nies already operating, or considering opening a, business in

Russia, with expert advice on how to set up and run their Russian

business in a safe and effective way. In recent years, Russia has

been undergoing rapid systemic changes, which are sometimes

very difficult for foreign entrepreneurs or investors to understand.

LOOKING BACK

2018 Volume I / 33

On October 11�12, 2018, CERBA joined the Russian Association

for Canadian Studies (RACS) in organization the 15th Inter�

national RACS Conference on Russian�Canadian Relations,

which took place in the Conference Hall of the Institute for the

U.S. and Canadian Studies of Russian Academy of Sciences

(ISKRAN).

The Conference was divided into two sessions, held consecu�

tively on October 11 and October 12. Session on October 11

was exclusively devoted to economic and business themes

including Northern and Arctic issues. The session covered the

following topics: history and evolution of Canada�Russia rela�

tions and cooperation, promoting peace and security in the

Arctic, developing natural resources, providing economic pros�

perity in the North, improving Aboriginal life, protecting the natu�

ral environment, learning from Northern cultural heritage, improv�

ing international cooperation in the North and Arctic and many

other related issues.

The opening of the International Conference began with the wel�

coming words by Dr. Valery Garbuzov, Director of the ISKRAN;

Dr. Sergey Rogov, Academic Director of the ISKRAN; Mr. Alexey

Isakov, Deputy Director of North America Department, Minister of

Foreign Affairs, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten�

tiary; Dr. Tatyana Kuzmina, President of RACS, Leading Resear�

cher, Head of the Centre for Development and Innovations of

ISKRAN, RACS; Stephane Jobin, Charge d'affaires, the Em�

bassy of Canada in Moscow; and Neil Withers, President of CFA

Russia and CERBA Moscow Board Member.

The following presentations were delivered during the October

11 Session: "Russia and Canada: After Two Cold Wars to

Cooperation" by T. Kuzmina, President, RACS, "Regional Level

of the Russian�Canadian Cooperation: Theory and Practice" by

Y. Akimov, Chair of the Advisory Board of RACS Branch in St.

Petersburg, "The Soviet Union and Canada: Problems of

Economic Relations" by I. Aggeeva, Senior Researcher, Institute

of World History, "Russian�Canadian economic relations in 2017�

2018" by E. Khoroshilov, PhD, Leading Researcher, Canadian

Department, ISKRAN.

Neil Withers, CERBA Moscow Board Member and the President

of CFA Russia, delivered a presentation on the topic of "Banking

Ethics and Trust in Canadian Banking". In his speech, Mr.

Withers made an overview and general comparison of the

Russian and Canadian banking systems based on his extensive

working experience in both Canadian and Russian banks. He

pointed out that, since he first came to Russia, the country has

made great progress in building a safer and more reliable bank�

ing system, and also improving banking ethics.

The first day of the Conference ended up with a networking

reception for the conference participants at the Azimut Hotel

hosted by the Embassy of Canada in Moscow.

The October 12th session was devoted to Russian�Canadian

cooperation in science and culture. It focused on a discussion

of Canadian domestic social policies, and science and cultur�

al developments in Canada. The session also covered addi�

tional themes relevant to Canadian Studies, such as Canadian

history and literature.

The event concluded with the informal networking reception at

the premises of ISKRAN where conference participants could

exchange their impressions of the conference and discuss

upcoming projects.

CERBA would also like to express its sincere gratitude to the

sponsor of the conference – Kinross Gold Corporation.

LOOKING BACK

Stephane Jobin, Charge d'affaires, the Embassy of Canada inMoscow

From left: Tatyana Kuzmina, Ph.D., President of RACS, LeadingResearcher, Head of the Centre for Development and Innovationsof ISKRAN RACS; Mr. Alexey Isakov, Deputy Director of NorthAmerica Department, Minister of Foreign Affairs, EnvoyExtraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary; Dr. Valery Garbuzov,Director of the ISKRAN; Stephane Jobin, Charge d'affaires, theEmbassy of Canada in Moscow; Neil Withers, CERBA MoscowBoard Member, President, CFA Russia

Neil Withers, CERBA Moscow Board Member, President, CFARussia, delivering the presentation on "Banking, ethics and trust inCanadian banking"

Ivan Barsola, Director, KPMG, delivering the presentation onenvironmental risks

RACS�CERBA 15TH INTER�

NATIONAL CONFERENCE:

"RUSSIAN�CANADIAN

RELATIONS: FROM ECO�

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MEETING WITH SERGEY

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CANADIAN CULTURE

IN MOSCOW:

PERFORMANCE BY

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JOINT CERBA�BBC CON�

FERENCE WITH KPMG

"MANAGING BUSINESS

RISKS IN RUSSIA: NEW

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Sergey Afontsev, Professorof the Department of WorldPolitical Processes MGIMO

Natalya Tcherniakova,Deputy Director,Agency of EconomicInformation PRIME

34 / 2018 Volume I

CERBA expresses hope that this event has marked the begin�

ning of the long and productive partnership between the two

associations.

On December 6, 2018, the legendary Yar Restaurant again

opened its doors to the annual CERBA Annual Charity Auction

with Vladislav Tretiak which has been held in Moscow every

year since 2002 to raise money to help orphans, improve

schools, sporting facilities and provide equipment to hospitals

in various Russian regions such as Ulyanovsk, Saratov,

Irkutsk and the North of Russia.

This year, the event received strong support from the Russian,

Canadian and international business communities, and was

attended by more than 250 businessmen, civil servants, diplo�

mats, media representatives, and well�known cultural and public

figures from the Russian and Canadian sides. On behalf of the

Canadian community, Stephane Jobin, Charge d'affaires, the

Embassy of Canada in Moscow, greeted the guests and

expressed Canadian support for this remarkable charity initiative.

The festive evening featured a spectacular entertainment pro�

gram, live auction, silent auction with lots ranging from art and

fashion items to jewelry and premium alcohol, and charity lottery.

This year's live auction lots included the most special and unique

items: A commemorative ring, dedicated to the historic victory of

the Russian national hockey team at the 2018 Olympics in

PyeongChang, made of 14 carat gold, decorated with enamel,

diamonds, sapphires and rubies. A hockey jersey of the Russian

National Team autographed by the Olympic Champions of 2018,

A replica of an Olympic Gold Medal, a real hockey puck complete

with autographs of the players – Champions of the Olympic

Games 2018, a Painting of Honored Artist of Russia Nikas

Safronov and many other unique items.

We would like to say a special thank you to all CERBA members

who have joined us at the event for their continuous and whole�

hearted support of this important charity initiative.

CERBA would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the

corporate sponsor of the event � BRP.

Finally, we would like to thank the contributors to our charity

lottery:

Lotte Hotel, Marriott Moscow Grand, Marriott Moscow Royal

Aurora, Renaissance Monarch Moscow, Mamaison Pokrovka,

InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya, StandArt Hotel, IMAX,

Vestoro Tailoring Company, Khajuraho Indian Restaurant and

many other companies and individuals.

We very much appreciate your support and

hope for your active participation in our future

charity initiatives!

The end of 2018 year was celebrated by CERBA Moscow mem�

bers, partners and associates, in the traditional format of Annual

Christmas Cocktail.

The evening opened with the presentation by Nathan Hunt,

CERBA Moscow Board Chairman, who gave a brief overview of

LOOKING BACK

2018 Volume I / 35

Each stage of business development in the Russian market is

characterized by its own risks, which foreign companies need to

be aware of in order to conduct successful business activities.

KPMG experts were happy to share this valuable information

with CERBA guests as to how they can identify these risks and

minimize their consequences.

The speakers included Ekaterina Serikova, Manager; Daria

Saitova, Manager; Ksenia Surkova, Director; Ivan Barsola, Di�

rector; Veronika Semenova, Senior Manager and Ivan Nasonov,

Senior Manager. The experts from KPMG addressed the follow�

ing issues in their presentations: market analysis of the compet�

itive environment and analysis of competitors, market prospects

and main trends; analysis of potential partners: identification of

reputational and corruption risks, verification of reliability of coun�

terparties; identification of conflicts of interest; non�financial risks:

environmental risks, health and safety; corporate investigations;

search for debtors' assets; non�financial risks: environmental

risks, health and safety.

The event concluded with a Q&A session, where speakers con�

tinued the discussion with members of the Canadian and the

British business communities on the issue of maintaining a suc�

cessful business in Russia, and shared the examples of the best

practices of doing business in Russia.

CERBA would like to express its gratitude to KPMG for hosting

the event.

On November 16, 2018, CERBA mem�

bers were provided with the opportunity

to participate in the seminar by Alinga

Consulting Group devoted to the latest

changes in the tax and currency legisla�

tion, as well as the new approaches by

the authorities to tax administration in terms of conducting tax

audits. Experts from Alinga Consulting also covered the topic of

clarifications by regulatory bodies on the complex issues con�

cerning the application of legislation regarding online registers

and explained IFRS 9 application, a new international standard

regulating how to create provisions for expected credit�related

losses. Participants found the information provided during the

seminar valuable and useful for organizing effective business

operations, and expressed desire to participate in the company's

future seminars.

On December 4, 2018, CERBA

was proud to join the Business

Club Germany�Russia (Wirts�

chaftsclub Russland) in Russia in

the organization of the Award Ceremony "New Silk Road", held

at the Library of arts named after A. P. Bogolyubov.

The Ceremony announced the names of two winners of the

"Faces of the Silk Road" international contest, who were selec�

ted amongst 42 contestants from 11 countries: Wang Lei, painter

from Beijing, and Valery Latypov, photographer from Moscow.

The ceremony followed up with a networking reception, providing

guests with an opportunity to examine the works of the winners,

and enjoy live music, refreshments and networking.

LOOKING BACK

SEMINAR ON RECENT

CHANGES IN CURRENCY

AND TAX LEGISLATION

BY ALINGA CONSULTING

GROUPNNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1166,, 22001188

CERBA 17TH ANNUAL

CHARITY AUCTION WITH

VLADISLAV TRETIAKDDEECCEEMMBBEERR 66,, 22001188

CERBA MOSCOW

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS

COCKTAIL 2018DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 1133,, 22001188

Veronika Semenova, Senior Manager and Nathan Hunt, CERBAMoscow Chairman

Egor Misura, Partner, KPMG

Vladislav Tretiak, President, Ice Hockey Federation of Russia;Nathan Hunt, CERBA Moscow Chairman; Vera Terekhova, Director,V. Tretiak Charitable Foundation

Guests enjoying the reception

Vera Terekhova, Director, V. TretiakCharitable Foundation; VladislavTretiak, President, Ice HockeyFederation of Russia; Nikas Safronov,Honored Artist of Russia; NathanHunt, CERBA Moscow Chairman

Vladislav Tretiak, President,Ice Hockey Federation ofRussia (left) and StephaneJobin, Charge d'affaires, theEmbassy of Canada inMoscow, greeting the guests

NEW SILKROAD AWARD

CEREMONY AND

RECEPTIONDDEECCEEMMBBEERR 44,, 22001188

Valery Latypov, photographerfrom Moscow (left) and WangLei, painter from Beijing

36 / 2018 Volume I

Key indicators of the Russian economy show that growth has

definitely returned after 2015�16 recession to settle at 1.6% in

2018 and the ruble has become less dependent on the price of

oil. The Federal budget has also returned to balance after four

years of deficit. Another interesting detail is the continued hike in

the World Bank's Doing Business ranking, to reach 31st position

in 2018, up from 124th in 2010.

'Creating a more predictable and business friendly economic

environment is a priority for the Russian Government', underlined

Mr. Maksimov. National development goals aim to boost the

economy to reach the top 5 of world economies by 2024, as well

as increasing non�commodity exports.

Trade statistics between Canada and Russia are also returning to

an upward trend following a significant collapse between 2013

and 2016 with 43% growth between 2016 and 2017. Quebec's

share of Canadian trade with Russia has remained in top position

with 41% of Canadian turnover with Russia with the aerospace

sector comfortably sitting in first position of the province's exports.

'Quebec has historically enjoyed stronger trade and cultural rela�

tions than other provinces. We will work to maintain and streng�

then this relation in the future', committed CERBA's Montreal

Director, Sebastien Dakin.

Russian trade missions have been transferred to fall under the

Ministry of Industry and Trade, as opposed to Economic

Development. The 57 trade offices world wide will focus more

on promoting Russian industrial output and attracting foreign

investment.

CERBA Montreal chapter hosted a high�level delegation of the

Government of Uzbekistan, led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign

Affairs, Dilshod Akhatov. He was accompanied by the Head of

the Americas Department (MFA), the Deputy Head of the State

Investment Committee, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the

Embassy in Washington. The delegation met with Canadian rep�

resentatives of business interested in business with Uzbekistan.

LOOKING BACK

2018 Volume I / 37

CERBA’s activities over the past calendar year and highlighted

the most important CERBA achievements during that period.

Stanislav Borodyuk, Vice President and Head of Moscow

Representative Office of Kinross Gold Corporation, Svetlana

Bobrovich, Head of the Moscow Office of Barrick Gold, and

Robert Machowski, Managing Director, Hatch, also greeted the

guests on behalf of their companies � sponsors of the event.

The guests enjoyed the traditionally friendly and festive spirit of

the CERBA Christmas party, delicious cuisine, fine wines, fresh

beer kindly provided by EuroWine, raffle lottery and live jazz

music at the hall with a beautiful panoramic view of the Moscow’s

center located on the 9th floor of the luxurious five star StandArt

Hotel. The event program also featured a performance by the

soprano opera singer Daria Davidova, a representative of the

world�famous Bolshoy Theater in Moscow.

As always, the event concluded

with the CERBA Christmas raffle

lottery featuring a variety of great

prizes. In total, we had almost 200

attendees, representing member�

companies and our numerous part�

ners including government, public

and educational institutions. The

event proved to be a great success,

providing CERBA members with

the opportunity to make new con�

tacts, as well as to reaffirm and

strengthen the existing partnerships

and connections.

We would like to express our sin�

cere gratitude to sponsors of the

event: Kinross Gold, Barrick Gold, Hatch and StandArt Hotel.

We also would like to thank Eurowine for providing a great beer

and wine for our guests!

We also appreciate the support of contributors to our Christmas

lottery: Konfael Chocolate, EuroWine, Peroni Honey, DoubleTree

by Hilton Moscow Marina, Mamaison All�Suites Spa Hotel

Pokrovka, Marriott Moscow Grand, Marriott Moscow Royal

Aurora, InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya, Renaissance

Moscow Monarch Centre Hotel, Lotte Hotel, WoodSource, IMAX,

Vestoro Tailoring Company, Khajuraho Indian Restaurant and V.

Tretiak Charitable Foundation.

The recently appointed Senior Trade Commissioner of the

Russian Federation in Canada made a first official visit to

Montreal on November 7, 2018. Mr. Valerii Maksimov presented

to CERBA stakeholders the latest trade and economic trends in

Russia and in bilateral relations with Canada and the province of

Quebec.

LOOKING BACK

Raffle lottery

Mr. Valerii Maksimov, Senior Trade Commissioner of the RussianFederation in Canada

Daria Davidova, sopranoopera singer

Sebastien Dakin, CERBA Montreal and Ottawa Director, and Mr.Maksimov

Participants of the seminar

Roundtable participants

CERBA National Chairman, Gilles Breton (left) and Deputy Ministerof Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Dilshod Akhatov

From left: Stanislav Borodyuk, Vice President and Head of MoscowRepresentative Office of Kinross Gold Corporation; SvetlanaBobrovich, Head of the Moscow Office of Barrick Gold; NathanHunt, CERBA Moscow Board Chairman; Robert Machowski,Managing Director, Hatch

HIGH LEVEL UZBEK

DELEGATION HOSTED

BY CERBA MONTREALNNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 2266,, 22001188

MONTREAL

NEW SENIOR TRADE

COMMISSIONER OF

RUSSIA MEETS

MONTREAL BUSINESS NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 77,, 22001188

38 / 2018 Volume I

On the 11th of October was held a visit of the Canada Eurasia

Russia Business Association (CERBA) to the Baikonur station.

This visit was guided by Mr. Erlan Karibayev, the Aerospace

Committee Kazcosmos and Daulet representative of the

Roscosmos.

The participants of the event had a chance to observe the whole

process of the rocket launch starting from the exit of the crew

from the hotel "Cosmonaut".

The Canada Eurasia Russian Business Association (CERBA)

representatives witnessed the astronauts exit in spacesuits,

observed cosmonauts' report to the chairman of the State

Commission on flight readiness and, finally, viewed the rocket

launch.

During the tour, the participants also had a walk through the

Astronauts Alley and visited the park in which astronauts planted

trees. Moreover, they took a visit to the Space museum, inspect�

ed Y. Gagarin, S.P. Korylov's Houses and the model of the Buran

orbital ship.

The CERBA delegation has also visited some of the Baikonur

and Kyzylorda cities' sights: the Baikonur City Space Museum

and the Memorial Complex of Korkyt Ata in Kyzyl Orda.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Canada Eurasia

Russia Business Association (CERBA) was organized on the

19th of October 2018 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The AGM is an important aspect of the governance process of

the CERBA association. During the meeting of this year were

shared the main events and accomplishments of CERBA

Kazakhstan Chapter for 2017�2018 year and KCBC achieve�

ments as well which includes 6 key Industry Working Groups: Oil

& Gas, Mining & Mineral Resources, Agriculture & Agri�food,

Construction & Innovations, Finance, and Aerospace &

Transportation.

LOOKING BACK

2018 Volume I / 39

The Canadian company SkyPower, present at the event, is plan�

ning important investment in solar energy production estimated

at $1.3 billion, which would boost the country's green power gen�

eration by over 10%. Sky Power is currently one of the most

important foreign investor in the country. Renewable energy is a

priority for the Uzbek government and foreign investment, as well

as budget funds, will be spent to increase output from wind,

solar, and hydro sources. The World Bank and the European

Bank for Reconstruction and Development are supporting these

initiatives.

In addition to green energy, the Canadian Gold mining company

B2 Gold is assessing opportunities in Uzbekistan, which has

some of the most important gold reserves in the world.

Uzbekistan is presently in the process of updating it's mining reg�

ulations to international standards and best practice. Uzbekistan

also has significant deposits of Uranium, Tungsten, Iron, and

Lithium. The Boston Consulting Group is currently updating the

national strategy in this sector.

Significant opportunities are also present in agriculture and agri�

food as the country is undergoing a diversification of crops pro�

duction as well as a boost in transformation of food products. Real

estate is witnessing a strong growth since the new government

took office, providing opportunities in construction and infrastruc�

ture projects. Tourism is one of the most interesting areas to be

developed, as Uzbekistan, located of the old silk road, has some

of the best preserved architecture of the Muslim world.

CERBA is organizing, at the request of the Deputy Minister of

Foreign Affairs, a multisector trade mission on May 13�18 to

Uzbekistan to introduce Canadian companies to opportunities

opening up in this country. 'It is a great pleasure to work with the

Government of Uzbekistan on promoting business opportunities

between our countries' commented CERBA Montreal Director,

Sebastien Dakin. CERBA will inaugurate its Tashkent Office on

the same occasion.

The Managing Partner and founder of the Schneider Group, Ulf

Schneider, gave a briefing on business opportunities for

exporters in Eurasian Countries, i.e. Armenia, Belarus,

Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. 'It is a great

pleasure to have an expert such as Mr. Schneider in Montreal.

His company can really help Canadian companies throughout

the entire region', said Sebastien Dakin, Director of the Montreal

and Ottawa chapters of CERBA. Over 40 people attended the

event followed by CERBA�Montreal's New Year reception. The

Charge d'Affaires or the Republic of Belarus, Dmitry Basik, the

Counselor (Economic Affairs) of the Russian Embassy Sergey

Strokov, and the Consul General of Russia in Montreal, Yuri

Bedzhanyan, were among the honored guests of the event.

Mr. Schneider stressed that companies should know that the

Eurasian Economic Union is a new trade block that should be

better understood. 'The EEU is actually a very comprehensive

organization that is undergoing a similar integration as we saw in

the European Union in the last decades. I would argue that the

level of development of the organization is comparable to what

the EU was in 1986, but it is developing much faster'.

Interesting facts should be noted about the EEU: It is the number

1 producer of oil, number 2 for gas, and number 4 regarding

power generation. It also produces more steel, iron ore and fer�

tilizers than the US. Agricultural production in Russia witnessed

a major growth following the embargo of Western food products.

According to the World Bank's ease of business ranking, most

CIS countries have significantly jumped from low to relatively

high positions in less than ten years, for example Russia moved

from 120th to 31st from 2010 to 2019. Ukraine has also improved

from 142nd to 7st. He underlined that Canada is at the 22nd position

as of 2019.

SCHNEIDER GROUP is a leading consultancy company count�

ing 500 people that has become a key player and one�stop�shop

for companies active in this region. It provides international

clients with the back office services needed to expand their busi�

ness into or within Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Poland,

Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. SCHNEIDER GROUP services

include market entry support, accounting outsourcing, tax con�

sulting, import, ERP systems, support in the settlement of dis�

putes and advice on a broad range of legal issues with focus on

compliance, migration, labor, contract and corporate law.

LOOKING BACK

THE FOUNDER OF THE

SCHNEIDER GROUP IN

MONTREAL FOR A

CERBA BRIEFING

Ulf Schneider, Founder and Managing Partner, SCHNEIDER GROUP

Overview of seminar participants

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ANNUAL GENERAL

MEETING OF CERBA

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KAZAKHSTAN

TOUR TO THE

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40 / 2018 Volume I

Hon. Consul of Russia and Chair of CERBA�Vancouver Chapter,

Ms. Erin Chutter and Mr. Gilles Breton, CERBA National Chair

welcomed the Excellencies, business representatives, and dis�

tinguished guests. Dr. Tim Cheek, Professor, School of Public

Policy and Global Affairs and Department of History & Director of

the Institute of Asian Research welcomed the guests on behalf of

UBC Vancouver. The speakers included Ms. Renee Umezuki,

Deputy Director, Global Affairs Canada, Vancouver Regional

Office, and Ms. Victoria Hayes, Acting Director, International

Markets, Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, BC Provincial

Government.

The highlight of the conference were the two panel discussions,

each moderated by an expert. In the First Panel H. E. Dmitry

Basik, Charge d'Affairs of the Republic of Belarus to Canada, H.

E. Akylbek Kamaldinov, Ambassador of the Republic of

Kazakhstan to Canada, Mr. Ilyas Akhmedov, First Secretary,

Embassy of Kazakhstan to Canada, H. E. Alexander Darchiev,

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Canada, and Mr. Wade

Larson, President, URTHECAST participated in the discussion on

Eurasia Economic Union and its integration, future forecasts,

challenges and advantages'. The panel was moderated by Mr.

Ahmad Zahir Faqiri, Senior Fellow, Faculty and Research

Associate, Lead and Coordinator of Greater Central Asia at the

University of British Columbia.

Prof. Yves Tiberghien, Professor, Department of Political Science,

University of British Columbia moderated the panel two in which

the participants discussed about the Greater Eurasia: realities and

opportunities of international economic initiatives with potential to

re�defining business and trade environment. The participants in

panel two included H.E. Kong Weiwei, Acting Consul General of

the People's Republic of China in Vancouver, Yves Tiberghien,

Professor, Department of Political Science, University of British

Columbia, Mr. Tserendorj MUNKH�ULZII, Deputy Chief of

Mission/Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of

Mongolia to Canada, Mr. Daniel Kiselbach, Partner, Deloitte Tax

Law LLP, and Dr. Stephen Ramsay, Head of Vancouver Division,

Grey Owl Engineering.

CERBA thanks its sponsors Pressreader and Sensei Tech�

nologies Ltd., conference partner and host University of British

Columbia, Vancouver and CERBA volunteers for making this

conference a success.

LOOKING BACK

2018 Volume I / 41

One of the highlight of the event was an overview of his

Excellency Nicholas Brousseau, Ambassador Extraordinary and

Plenipotentiary of Canada in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and

Tajikistan on recent business and trade relationship between

Canada and Kazakhstan.

Another important part of the meeting was the election of the new

Board of Directors of CERBA Kazakhstan for the period of 2018�

2019. The meeting was followed by a networking discussion and

the local brand Arba Wine tasting.

On the 27th of November in Metro

Toronto Convention Centre, Toron�

to, Canada, delegation from Ka�

zakhstan participated in CERBA

Construction and Infrastructure

Conference 2018.

The event was sponsored by

McMillan and supported by Global

Affairs Canada, Ontario and Cal�

gari. The Construction and Infras�

tructure Conference raised discus�

sion on important subjects and

issues for construction companies

which plan to expand their busi�

ness to international markets and seek to further cooperate,

exchange experiences, and engage in networking.

During the discussion devoted to the Eurasia and Canada

market overview, Mrs. Gulmira Tolganbayeva � developer,

owner of the business centers "Green Tower" and "Triumph",

the winner of the nomination "Green construction" in the

framework of the Association KazGBC, delivered the presen�

tation on the green technologies used in construction of the

one of her latest projects the Business Center Green Tower.

In accordance with tradition, the CERBA Kazakhstan chapter

was happy to organize another Christmas Eve Bowling Tour�

nament – a special evening for participants accompanied with

fun and prizes.

This year’s tournament took place on 7th of December at the

"Cosmo Club", Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The Christmas Eve Tournament was organized by CERBA and

kindly sponsored by Falcon Oil&Gas Company.

The sponsors pleasantly surprised the participants by treating

them to special prizes and a wards for the winners.

The Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA) in

partnership with University of British Columbia, Vancouver host�

ed the International conference 'Canada�Greater Eurasia

Cooperation� New Perspectives and opportunities' on Tuesday,

October 23, 2018.

Attended by diplomats, business delegates, academicians and

students, the conference focused largely on opportunities for

Canadian business in the Greater Eurasian region. The confer�

ence was intended to open the door for Canadian businesses to

gain access to markets such as Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan

and Mongolia", she added.

LOOKING BACK

DELEGATION FROM

KAZAKHSTAN

PARTICIPATED IN CERBA

CONSTRUCTION AND

INFRASTRUCTURE

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CERBA KAZAKHSTAN

NETWORKING EVENT:

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS

EVE BOWLING

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Erin Chutter, President, ECMB Capital Partners openingthe conference

From left: Gilles Breton, CERBA National Chairman; Dr. Tim Cheek,Professor, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs andDepartment of History & Director of the Institute of Asian Research;Victoria Hayes, Acting Director, International Markets, Ministry ofJobs, Trade and Technology, BC Provincial Government

From left: Mr. Wade Larson, President, URTHECAST; H.E.Alexander Darchiev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation toCanada; H. E. Akylbek Kamaldinov, Ambassador of the Republic ofKazakhstan to Canada; H. E. Dmitry Basik, Charge d'Affairs of theRepublic of Belarus to Canada

From left: Dr. Stephen Ramsey, Head of Vancouver Division, GreyOwl Engineering; Daniel Kiselbach, Partner, Deloitte Tax Law LLP;Mr. Tserendorj MUNKH�ULZII, Deputy Chief of Mission/MinisterCounsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Mongolia to Canada;H.E. Kong Weiwei, Acting Consul General of the People's Republicof China in Vancouver; Prof. Yves Tiberghien, Department ofPolitical Science, University of British Columbia

VANCOUVER

CERBA & UBC HOST

SUCCESSFUL

INTERNATIONAL

CONFERENCE IN

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42 / 2018 Volume I

• GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

• LOGISTICAL SUPPORT INCLUDING VISA INVITATIONS

• MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

WHAT CERBA

CAN DO FOR YOU?

• Business events featuring key industry & government experts –

seminars, breakfast briefs, conferences, roundtables,

receptions, networking and social events

• Membership networking via events and LinkedIn group

• Facilitation of the search for new business partners and clients

through multi�oce connections

• Speaking opportunities, presentations at events

• Members�only website section containing:

– Database of all CERBA members

– Event presentations

– Participants lists

– Resume Bank and Job Bank sections to connect withpre�screened candidates

– Online company profile management

– Market intelligence reports

• Access to incoming and outgoing industry�specific, regional,

or nation�wide trade missions

• Electronic and hard copy newsletter

• Facilitation of legal and financial/audits consultations

• Dissemination of business� related information via e�mail,

website and newsletter

• Media liaison between members and Eurasian & North

American media to increase visibility and publicity

• Information and contacts through cooperation with other

international business associations in North America,

America and Eurasia

• Substantial member and sponsor discounts at events

• Visa assistance and invitation letters issued to your Eurasian

partners for travel to Canada

• Hotels and airlines discounts in Canada and Eurasia

• Identification of potential interpreters/translators

• Accommodation and transportation assistance

• Advice on country�specific travel needs and cultural differences

• Liaison with Canadian and Eurasian government

• Opportunities for meetings with high�ranking government

officials

• Identification of government programs available

for companies

• Participation in intergovernmental economic commissions

and industry working groups

Marketing and Business Development