Since 2022, the UAE has become the primary internationally-accessible hub for Russian and CIS commercial activity. We advise non-sanctioned Russian and CIS principals selling UAE-incorporated businesses, structured under DIFC or ADGM law, to compliant international buyers. Sell-side, buy-side, RAS/IFRS due diligence, and exit planning. Minimum USD 2M. Compliance-first, always.
Compliance framework: every mandate is screened against the US OFAC SDN List, EU Consolidated Sanctions List, UK OFSI Consolidated List, and UN Consolidated Sanctions List, with beneficial ownership traced to the ultimate natural person. Mandates involving sanctioned individuals, entities, or assets are declined , no exceptions. We do not provide sanctions circumvention advice of any kind.
English common law jurisdictions with independent courts and internationally recognised arbitration (DIFC-LCIA, ADGM Arbitration Centre). SPAs are enforceable and familiar to international buyers.
Russian Accounting Standards differ materially from IFRS , revenue recognition, related-party disclosure, and provisioning all require careful reconciliation for a true earnings picture.
Onshore Russian assets carry a liquidity discount and exit risk premium vs equivalent UAE assets , typically 15–30% , quantified explicitly so pricing is grounded in market reality.
UAE-based buyers, GCC family offices, Indian conglomerates and Southeast Asian strategics actively acquire quality CIS businesses sold via UAE entities.
CIS markets beyond Russia have distinct regulatory frameworks and growing M&A deal flow. We assess each on its individual merits.
We do not advise on transactions involving sanctioned individuals or entities, and provide no sanctions circumvention advice of any kind.
Since 2022, the UAE has become the primary internationally-accessible hub for Russian and CIS commercial activity. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have seen significant inflows of Russian capital, business formation, and personal relocation , creating a large population of Russian business owners with UAE structures and residency who want to sell internationally.
The UAE's diplomatic neutrality gives UAE-incorporated entities and UAE-based advisers unique access. DIFC and ADGM provide legal infrastructure that international buyers trust and can transact through, removing the principal frictions that make onshore Russian M&A inaccessible to most international buyers.
Kazakhstan is the most commercially active CIS market outside Russia. Georgia (Tbilisi) has emerged as a significant relocation hub post-2022. Azerbaijan (Baku) is developing its financial services hub. Uzbekistan is growing rapidly, each offering lower geopolitical complexity than Russia itself.
| Sector | EV/EBITDA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Technology / Software (UAE holdco) | 8–18x | CIS revenue base |
| Consumer Goods / FMCG | 5–10x | CIS distribution, brand equity |
| Logistics / Supply Chain | 5–9x | Multi-country CIS network |
| Agribusiness / Food Production | 4–8x | Russian/CIS land + processing |
| Healthcare Services | 6–11x | UAE or CIS licensed |
| Kazakhstan PE Market | 6–12x | Growing local PE ecosystem |
| Georgia / Azerbaijan Tech | 7–14x | Relocation-hub businesses |
All mandates screened against OFAC SDN, EU Consolidated Sanctions, UK OFSI, and UN Consolidated Sanctions Lists. Beneficial ownership traced to ultimate natural person. Source of funds required. Any mandate involving a sanctioned party is declined , non-negotiable.
UAE Corporate Tax (9% above AED 375,000) applies to UAE holdco entities receiving CIS dividends/fees. Qualifying dividend income may benefit from participation exemption. The UAE has no tax treaty with Russia , we integrate this into every cross-border valuation.
A five-stage process that puts compliance first, leverages the UAE as a neutral platform, and connects CIS sellers with a buyer universe unavailable through Western intermediaries.
Sanctions screening, beneficial ownership mapping, source of funds. Mandate accepted only on full clearance.
DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA or mainland holdco assessed. Clean title review. UAE CT position. Pre-sale restructuring advice.
IFRS/RAS due diligence, QoE, related-party review. Geopolitical risk premium valuation in USD/AED.
Target UAE, GCC, Indian and SEA buyers. Compliance pre-screen all potential buyers. Manage NDA, data room, offers.
SPA under DIFC or English law. USD settlement via compliant UAE banking. IFRS 3 PPA. Post-close governance handover.
All fees quoted in USD with AED equivalent. Minimum deal size USD 2M (~AED 7.3M). Compliance and KYC screening is conducted before any fee engagement , if a mandate does not pass screening, no fee is charged.
All mandates include a complimentary 30-minute discovery call plus free compliance pre-screen before any engagement letter is signed.
RAS/IFRS bridge FDD, QoE, related-party review, source of funds verification embedded. 4–8 weeks. (~AED 37K–257K)
Retainer + success fee. Compliance screening, UAE structure review, IM prep, buyer outreach, SPA coordination.
No retainer. Compliance screening, target ID, RAS/IFRS FDD, structure advisory, SPA negotiation to close.
Sell-side, buy-side, RAS/IFRS FDD, exit structuring, UAE structuring advisory, and sanctions pre-screening. Minimum deal size USD 2M.
The UAE has not sanctioned Russia and maintains relationships with both Western and CIS partners. DIFC/ADGM provide English common law frameworks trusted by international buyers.
Every principal and beneficial owner is screened against OFAC, EU, UK OFSI, and UN sanctions lists before any mandate is accepted. No exceptions.
Technology, consumer/FMCG, logistics, agribusiness, healthcare, and professional services. Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan offer growing deal flow.
Yes, subject to full AML/KYC and sanctions screening, via UAE holding companies, DIFC/ADGM entities, and UAE residency.
Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia, each assessed on its individual regulatory and deal-flow merits.
A RAS/IFRS bridge, geopolitical risk premium, and UAE holdco premium analysis establishes realistic pricing , included in every sell-side mandate.
Typically 3–8 months from mandate to closing, UAE-incorporated holdco sales are considerably faster.
"Corvian's compliance screening was thorough and fast , under two weeks. Their RAS/IFRS bridge identified adjustments we hadn't anticipated, and the risk premium analysis gave us realistic pricing from the outset."
"We were acquiring a Kazakhstan logistics business with a UAE holding company. Corvian understood the structure from day one and structured our SPA under DIFC law. Clean and professional."
"The UAE holdco premium analysis was the most valuable advice we received. Restructuring into a DIFC entity before the sale process increased the buyer universe and commanded a 25–35% premium."
Start with a confidential compliance assessment and 30-minute discovery call , at no cost. If your mandate passes screening, we move fast.