Expanding Horizons: Practical Insights for Business Growth in the CIS
18 November | 09:00-13:00 (CET) | Hilton Vienna Park. Am Stadtpark 1, 1030, Vienna
Event type: onsite
Registration is over
Registration is over
Language: English
About the event
Navigating the business landscapes of the CIS region requires more than just a map – it calls for strategic planning and deep local understanding.
As global economic dynamics shift, new regions stand out as areas of growing strategic importance and opportunity. Central Asia is experiencing strong growth fueled by industrial development, increasing consumer demand and large-scale infrastructure projects. This expansion is supported by rising foreign investments, digital transformation and improved regional connectivity. At the same time, Eastern European markets continue to be significant yet complex markets. Despite geopolitical challenges, they remain key players in energy, manufacturing and trade sectors.
Join industry experts to explore current market trends, risks and opportunities. The program will offer a special focus on Central Asia alongside broader perspectives on the CIS region, tailored for Austrian companies.
9:00-9:30
Registration
9:30-09:40
Welcome Speech
Ulf Schneider, President & Founder SCHNEIDER GROUP
09:40-10:00
Global Business Outlook. Big Risks. Best Markets in 2026. Where Does CIS Fit In?
Daniel Thorniley, President, DT-Global Business
Consulting
10:00-10:20
Eastern
Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus - the New Tiger States?
Ulf Schneider, President & Founder SCHNEIDER
GROUP
10:20-10:40
Future
of the Middle Corridor
Harald Lassmann, CEO, Lassmann International GmbH
10:40-11:00
Coffee break
11:00-11:20
Austrian Business in Central Asia
Maloca Drazen, Regional Manager, Southeastern Europe, Eastern Europe/Central Asia, WKO AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA
11:20-11:40
Market Entry and Business Expansion in Kazakhstan
Mariya Nazarova, Tax Director, SCHNEIDER GROUP Kazakhstan
11:40-12:00
Market Entry and Business Expansion in Uzbekistan
Nilufar Khamidova, Tax Director, SCHNEIDER GROUP
Uzbekistan
12:00-12:30
Q&A
12:30-13:00
Networking
About speakers
Ulf Schneider
President & Founder SCHNEIDER GROUP
Ulf Schneider founded his SCHNEIDER GROUP in 2003. He is the President and owner of the well-established consulting enterprise that offers international companies services for their market entry and expansion in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Poland, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
He also is the CEO and Publisher of the owc Foreign Trade Publishing House, a German publishing house, rich in tradition, whose print and online media focus on Russia, CIS, China and Africa.
Mariya Nazarova
Tax Director, SCHNEIDER GROUP Kazakhstan
Mariya joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in 2018. She advises the company's clients on local and international taxation, provides accounting and tax review services, assists SCHNEIDER GROUP’s clients during tax audits, supports them with filing appeals for tax refunds, reviews and drafts investment agreements.
Mariya has more than 15 years of professional experience, including working at PwC.
Mariya has more than 15 years of professional experience, including working at PwC.
Nilufar Khamidova
Tax Director, SCHNEIDER GROUP Uzbekistan
Nilufar Khamidova joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in June 2025. She has over 17 years of professional experience in accounting and taxation, including in the energy, auto industry, consulting, and FMCG sectors.
Before joining the company, she held senior roles at leading firms such as KPMG and AKSA Enerji, specializing in tax risk assessment, transaction support, and corporate restructuring. Nilufar is a certified tax consultant in the Republic of Uzbekistan and a member of the Chamber of Tax Consultants of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with extensive experience advising both local and international clients.
She has rich experience in conducting tax due diligence for M&A transactions, supporting investors throughout all deal stages — from pre-transaction planning to post-deal integration.
Nilufar holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Tashkent State University of Economics. She is fluent in Russian, English, and Uzbek.
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