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  • 08 Dec 2020 7:00 AM | Deleted user

    Ahab Abdel-Aziz, global director of Gowling WLG’s Nuclear Industry Sector Group, has been elected chair of the board of directors of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI), effective November 26, 2020.

    The newly elected OCNI directors for 2020-21 were approved by the members at the OCNI Annual General Meeting. The chair and officers were elected during the meeting of the board of directors that followed on the same day.

    OCNI is the Canadian nuclear supply chain industry association, comprising nearly 250 companies active in the nuclear industry. OCNI promotes the nuclear industry in Canada via both enhancing opportunities in domestic and global markets, as well as maintaining strategic alignment with customers and government.

    "I am honoured and humbled to have the opportunity to serve our industry during these challenging times, alongside my fellow board members, and the dedicated executive and staff of OCNI. I am confident that OCNI will continue to bring valuable strategic leadership and support for the nuclear supply chain and its customers, and will help members participate in the economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Abdel-Aziz.

    Gowling WLG is at the forefront of the nuclear industry's revitalization, advising on sophisticated new build projects and decommissioning programs around the world. Our global team of experienced legal professionals delivers hands-on legal and strategic guidance in all aspects of nuclear power operations at every stage – from project development and financing to regulatory affairs.

    You can read an original version here.

    Contact information:

    Madina Assylbekova

    Director of Business Development RUSSIA/CIS

    T +7 495 775 4863

    madina.assylbekova@gowlingwlg.com

  • 02 Dec 2020 3:45 PM | Deleted user


    On November 10, 2020, CERBA was happy to partner with one of the major business associations in Russia, Delovaya Rossia, in the organization of the webinar "Development of trade, economic and business cooperation with the North America". The event was attended by the representatives of the Russian and international business communities and development institutions, and was devoted to the analysis of the pandemic impact on trade and economic cooperation between the North America and Russia, assessment of changes in sales chains and identification of promising spheres for cooperation. The goal of the event was also to provide practical recommendations to Russian entrepreneurs interested in developing cooperation with the US and Canada.

    Speakers included Nonna Kagramanyan, Vice President, Delovaya Rossia, Natalia Schneider, Vice President for Government Affairs, American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (AmCham), Daniel Russell, President and CEO, U.S.-Russia Business Council (USRBC), Nathan Hunt, Founder and Chairman of the Moscow Board of the Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA), and Alexey Murzenok, Director for International Partnership Programs of the Russian Export Center. The panel also featured representatives of several companies involved in bilateral business activities.  

    The event confirmed strong interest from the Russian business community toward exploring North American, and particularly Canadian market, and establishing business cooperation with their North American counterparts. Following Mr. Hunt’s presentation at the event, CERBA Moscow office received a very positive feedback and numerous requests for additional information from event attendees representing various sectors, such as IT, mining, construction, agriculture, which we were happy to accommodate. CERBA expresses gratitude to its long-standing partner Delovaya Rossia for taking the lead on organizing such a productive meeting, and remains committed to support any future initiatives aimed for facilitation and improvement of the business cooperation between Russia and Canada.

  • 30 Nov 2020 5:45 AM | Deleted user

    Dear CERBA Members and Partners,

    According to the information kindly provided by CERBA Corporate Member – Intermark Relocation, please be informed that in accordance with the Decree of the Government of Russia of 18.11.2020 No. 3013-r, family members of HQS employed in the field of sports, as well as family members of persons participating in sportive events on the territory of Russia may now enter Russia based on approved lists.

    What are the changes?

    Family members of HQS employees employed in the field of sports or individuals participating in sportive events in Russia may now enter Russia based on the lists sent by the Ministry of Sports to the MIA of Russia, FSS of Russia and Russian aviation agency, upon presenting work or humanitarian visas.

    NB! Previously the above scenario was applicable only to principal visitors (HQS employed in the field of sports and persons participating in sportive events).

    – The above-mentioned categories of foreign nationals included in the lists are eligible to obtain letters of invitation and visas of respective type.

    – In the context of entry into Russia, family members are only spouses, children, parents and adopters.

    – The decree does not limit the number of entries for these categories of foreigners.

    Who is affected?

    Family members of HQS working in the field of sports and family members of persons participating in sportive events.

    Intermark comments

    To include HQS employees employed in the field of sports and their family members in the approved lists the employer needs to submit a request to the Ministry of Sports.

    To include persons participating in sportive events and their family members the interested host party (organiser of the event, sports federation etc.) is to submit such application.

    Entry rules for HQS employed in any other fields and their family members remain unchanged.

    _____________________________

    You can read an original version here.

  • 30 Nov 2020 2:30 AM | Deleted user

    The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) has named Gowling WLG co-winner of the Export Award at the 2020 OCNI Supplier Excellence Awards, recognition of the firm's ongoing success in the international nuclear market. The awards were presented virtually following OCNI's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Nov. 26.  

    The OCNI Supplier Excellence Awards are the highest recognition OCNI can give to its members. The Export Award, in particular, honors OCNI member companies that are engaged in international business and that have achieved sustainable growth through innovation and commitment. It applauds significant export sales revenues or a successful move into challenging new export markets for its products or services.

    Ahab Abdel-Aziz, a partner and the global director of Nuclear Power Generation, accepted the Export Award on behalf of Gowling WLG. He was joined by several members of Gowling WLG’s Nuclear Sector Industry Group, including: Ted Betts, Magda Hanebach, Aubrey Lasky, Ian Palm, Maya Stano and Laura Van Soelen (Canada), Robert Amour, Gordon Bell and Sam Wallis (United Kingdom), and David Aylen (Russia).

    These professionals continue to be active contributors to the firm’s success in the international nuclear arena through first-rate business development efforts and superb client service — including in the context of our ongoing work advising the Rosatom group of companies on Atomstroyexport’s new build El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant Project in Egypt.

    Gowling WLG is at the forefront of the nuclear industry's revitalization, advising on sophisticated new build projects and decommissioning programs around the world. The firm’s global Nuclear Industry Sector Group is respected internationally for its work in Canada and abroad.

    Contact information:

    Madina Assylbekova

    Director of Business Development RUSSIA/CIS

    T +7 495 775 4863

    madina.assylbekova@gowlingwlg.com


  • 17 Nov 2020 11:00 AM | Deleted user

                       

    On November 10, Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA) hosted a virtual roundtable between Canadian business leaders and Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. H.E. Alison LeClaire, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the Russian Federation also joined the roundtable.

    The goal of the Roundtable was to allow key Canadian players in the Russian market to establish a direct dialogue with the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade in furtherance of their trade/investment objectives. Canadian business was represented at the Roundtable by the leadership of prominent Canadian companies, including Kinross Gold, Bombardier, BRP, Buhler, Champion Petfoods, Geometrik Manufacturing Inc., Hatch, McCain Foods and Viking Air. They delivered their comments and recommendations on the further development of bilateral trade and industrial cooperation from the perspective of such industries as aircraft construction, railway engineering, motor vehicle manufacturing, mining, industrial engineering, food processing, and construction.

    Alexey Gruzdev confirmed the willingness of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation to assist Russian and Canadian businesses in the implementation of bilateral projects and initiatives, and suggested the need to look at current cooperation "from a different angle" even in areas where the market has already been formed.

    "We should all understand that after a crisis that brings obvious difficulties, there is always an economic recovery and new opportunities. Great prospects are opening up thanks to the ongoing global reformation of cooperative relationships and supply chains," said Alexey Gruzdev.

    The Deputy Minister also noted that at the end of last year, the Russian-Canadian trade turnover showed a significant increase, increasing by more than 32% compared to 2018 – up to 1.7 billion US dollars. In the first half of this year, trade turnover decreased compared to the same period in 2019, but this represents a global trend caused mainly by the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Canadian participants provided a very positive feedback regarding the event, seeing it as a very important step toward establishing a productive working relationship with the Ministry and one that will help to further promote and defend Canadian business interests in the region.

  • 26 Oct 2020 4:00 AM | Deleted user

    Intermark was honored for its outstanding performance at Cartus Corporation’s 2020 Global Network Conference, held virtually from October 7-16, 2020. The Cartus Global Network is Cartus’ industry-leading worldwide service provider network. Each year, Cartus recognizes the companies and individuals in the Network who have provided extraordinary service to its customers and clients worldwide. The theme of this year’s conference was "Foresight is 20/20".

    Intermark was named winner of the Global Network Commitment to Excellence Platinum Award for its exceptional service results, the highest-level award a supplier can achieve through service performance. This award recognizes a supplier’s measureable commitment to excellence and is presented to Global Network service providers who have distinguished themselves by achieving critical performance metrics.

    You can read an original version here.

  • 15 Oct 2020 6:00 AM | Deleted user

    Dear CERBA Members and Partners,

    According to the information kindly provided by CERBA Corporate Member – Intermark Relocation, please be informed that in accordance with the government decree No. 2649-r dated October 14, 2020, restrictions on entry into the Russian Federation through air checkpoints have been lifted for citizens of Serbia, Cuba and Japan, as well as for persons permanently residing in these countries.

    What are the changes?

    The list of countries whose citizens and residents are allowed to enter the Russian Federation through air checkpoints has been updated with 3 items, and now includes 14 countries:

    - UK
    - Tanzania
    - Turkey
    - Switzerland
    - Egypt

    - Maldives
    - UAE
    - Kazakhstan
    - Kyrgyzstan
    - Republic of Korea

    - Belarus
    - Serbia
    - Cuba
    - Japan

    We would like to remind you that the possibility of entry and the possibility of issuing invitations and visas applies to citizens or permanent residents of abovementioned countries, provided they enter the Russian Federation by flight from the same respective country.

    Regular flights with Japan will resume from November 1, 2020. There is no confirmation on the official government website when regular flights with Serbia and Cuba will be resuming.

    NB!

    - HQS workers, their family members and technical maintenance specialists from the abovementioned countries can enter the Russian Federation with a valid visa, however, the possibility of issuing new invitations and work permits for them in practice does not apply. To obtain these documents, it is still necessary to include such foreigners in the state approved lists.

    Who is affected?

    Citizens of Serbia, Cuba and Japan, permanent residents of these countries and organizations that invite them.

  • 30 Sep 2020 9:00 AM | Deleted user

    On September 9, Dentons, with support from the Russian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce — World Business Organization (ICC Russia), LF Academy and Legal Insight magazine, held an online conference about the impact of the new rules of the Russian Federation Commercial Procedure Code on international arbitration. The new rules concern the Russian courts having exclusive jurisdiction to hear disputes involving sanctioned persons.  

    Moderating the conference, partner Konstantin Kroll presented an overview of US and EU sanctions and the practical aspects of their impact on international arbitration. Konstantin then addressed the changes in Russia’s Commercial Procedure Code, highlighting that now commercial courts in Russia are getting exclusive jurisdiction over disputes involving sanctioned persons, even where a party has entered into an arbitration agreement, included an arbitration clause in its contract, or concluded a prorogation agreement to hear the dispute in a foreign court.

    As noted in Mr. Kroll’s introductory presentation, where arbitral proceedings have been commenced outside Russia and a party to the proceedings believes its access to justice is limited due to sanctions, it can take advantage of the changes to the Commercial Procedure Code and ask the Russian court for an anti-suit injunction, so that the case is heard on the merits in Russia. If the arbitral proceedings abroad continue notwithstanding an injunction issued by a Russian court, the Russian court can render a decision fining the party to the proceedings that went against the Russian court’s order. The fine can be up to the entire amount of the claim and include the costs of the non-breaching party.

    Leading international arbitration practitioners talked about what could happen to arbitration in their jurisdictions if a Russian court determines it has jurisdiction despite a contract’s arbitration clause. The conference’s line-up included Secretary-General of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Sarah Grimmer, Heger & Partner’s partner Susanne Heger (Vienna, Austria), as well as Dentons’ representatives: partners Lawrence Teh (Singapore and Hong Kong), Dominic Pellew (UK), Anna Crevon (France), Amy Klaesener (Germany), Barton Legum (France and US, Global Co-chair of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice), and senior managing associate Diora Ziyaeva (US).

    A recording of the conference is available at this link.

    More information available at: https://www.dentons.com/en/whats-different-about-dentons/connecting-you-to-talented-lawyers-around-the-globe/news/2020/september/dentons-holds-conference-addressing-impacts-of-new-rules-of-russia-commercial-procedure-code


  • 29 Sep 2020 10:00 AM | Deleted user

    Dear CERBA Members and Partners,

    On the basis of the information kindly provided by CERBA Corporate Member – Intermark Relocation, please be informed that the Russian government has approved a list of measures that inviting parties must undertake to ensure foreign national’s compliance with the purpose of entry and the term of stay in Russia.

    The relevant decree came in force on 25 September 2020 and will remain effective for 6 years.

    Which law introduces the changes?

    Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated September 15, 2020 No. 1428.

    What are the changes?

    The decree establishes regulations which set out the list of measures undertaken by inviting parties and specifics of their implementation.

    The following 4 measures are envisaged:

    1. The inviting party or its representative provide the foreign national with its contact details as follows:

    – before arrival when arranging the invitation or upon arrival to the place of stay in Russia

    – in arbitrary form

    – by any means available including sending email with read receipt or presenting in person with signature of acceptance

    In case of subsequent entries in Russia under a multiple entries visa, providing contact details is not necessary.

    2. The inviting party implements guarantees of providing financial, medical and accommodation security on terms outlined in letters of guarantee which are provided during arrangement of invitation letters.

    NB! In accordance with the decree of the Russian Government dated 24.03.2003 No. 167 the inviting party must guarantee to provide invited foreign nationals with the following:

    a) funds for the period of their stay in Russia in the amount of no less than subsistence minimum set in a specific Russian region as well as funds needed to leave Russia

    b) salary in the amount of no less than minimum wage set by federal law for those who arrive for the purpose of work

    c) medical insurance policy or funds for getting medical assistance in case of need

    d) accommodation for the period of stay in Russia in accordance with the social standard of housing room area set in a specific Russian region

    We would like to mention that implementation of the above guarantees by inviting parties is also directly envisaged in the law dated 25.07.2002 No. 115-FZ “On legal status of foreign nationals…”

    3. The inviting party assists the foreign national in fulfillment of the declared purpose of entry by performing actions which are separately stipulated for each of the following purposes:

    – “business” – arranging for meetings, negotiations, conferences, signing and renewing contracts

    – “work” – employment, providing a working place, signing a work or services contract

    – “study” – enrollment based on contract, arranging for studies

    – “humanitarian” – arranging for humanitarian, religious, cultural or sportive events

    – “private” – migration registration at the address of housing which the inviting party has available or leasing such housing with subsequent migration registration at its address

    4. The inviting party or its representative notifies the MIA of Russia of loss of contact with the foreign national who visited it and remains in Russia. The notification is submitted:

    – to regional MIA department in person or sent in writing in arbitrary from (also electronically)

    – within 2 business days from ascertaining the fact of the loss of contact

    NB! The latter 3 measures are not required if the inviting party does not have information on the foreign national’s subsequent entries into Russia under a multiple entries visa

    Who is affected?

    Companies and individuals who arrange invitation letters for foreign nationals visiting Russia

    Intermark comments

    We would like to remind that failure to undertake the approved measures may lead to administrative fines set out by the Russian Code of Administrative Offences:

    – individuals: RUB 2,000 – 4,000

    – officials: RUB 45,000 – 50,000

    – legal entities: RUB 400,000 – 500,000

  • 24 Sep 2020 11:15 AM | Deleted user

    Dear CERBA Members and Partners,

    According to the information kindly provided by CERBA Corporate Member – Intermark Relocation, the decree of the President No. 580 dated 23.09.2020 extends the period for suspension of terms of stay for foreign citizens and suspension of terms for some of their migration documents. Also the decree introduced a couple new provisions.

    What are the changes?

    1. From March 15 to December 15, 2020 inclusive the following terms expiring in this period are suspended:

    • Terms of stay
    • Terms of migration registration
    • Duration terms of the following documents:

    – visas

    – migration cards

    – temporary and permanent residence permits

    – documents confirming refugee or temporary asylum status

    • NEW! Terms for voluntary departure for foreign citizens in respect of whom a decision of expel/deportation/unwanted stay was made.

    2. Also, until December 15, 2020 inclusive, the following measures are extended:

    – Visa-free nationals may apply for patent regardless of the declared purpose of entry or the existing deadline for submitting such application;

    – Employers who have a corporate employment permit may apply for individual work permits for the relevant employees regardless of their purpose of entry.

    3. NEW! With regard to foreign citizens who committed migration offenses in the Russian Federation, decisions on administrative expulsion from Russia in the form of a self-controlled departure could be made once again.

    4. NEW! Foreign citizens whose passports expire during the aforementioned period have the right to leave the Russian Federation with such a passport to the country of their citizenship (without transit through third countries).

    Intermark comments

    In case of expiration of validity terms of visas, periods of stay and migration registration after December 15, we strongly recommend approaching state authorities for extension procedures not later than prescribed by law. This is especially important given the fact that in the current version the "amnesty" has been extended until mid-December - this is a time of traditionally high workload of state authorities due to the end of the calendar year.

    We would like to also remind you that the “migration amnesty” does not cancel the obligation to submit notifications (on the conclusion/termination of a labor contract, fulfillment of obligations to pay salaries to the HQS workers), as well as obligation to do migration registration (initial, when changing the place of stay and correction when changing personal data included in notification form).