RIZ talks kick-off ahead of May contract signing: Russia’s Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Georgy Kalamanov met with Suez Canal Economic Zone deputy head Abdel Qader Darwish in Cairo yesterday to begin the final round of talks on a Russian Industrial Zone (RIZ) in East Port Said, according to an SCZone statement picked up by Al Shorouk. Kalamanov said last week that the contracts would be signed at the end of May. This could happen at the Egyptian-Russian Economic Committee summit, scheduled for the second half of May, which both countries’ trade and industry ministers are expected to meet.

AmCham HR Day: If you’re in the throes of HR challenges, take heart: You’re not alone. Our friends at AmCham will be holding its fifth annual HR Day on Monday, 7 May. The event will discuss new ways of attracting talent, developing culture, implementing leadership practices and diversity and inclusion, in addition to raising questions on the value of a company’s culture. You can register for the event here.

The Egyptian embassy in London will be hosting a “Made in Egypt” event on Tuesday, 8 May. The private viewing, reception and gala, held in partnership with the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce (EBCC), will exhibit the work of a selected number of Egypt’s talented furniture, jewelry and accessory designers who represent the country’s unique cultural heritage. The event is sponsored by our friends at CIB, SODIC, Edita, and EgyptAir as well as Palm Hills, Ramsco, and Mr. and Mrs. Samih Sawiris.

Uber / Careem appeal this Saturday: The Supreme Administrative Court is scheduled to hear on Saturday 5 May an appeal by Uber and Careem of a lower court decision that ordered the two companies to suspend operations. The Administrative Court has scheduled a separate hearing for 15 May. The two companies continue to operate under a Court of Urgent Matters ruling that stayed the initial suspension.

LEGISLATION WATCH- The Tenders and Auctions Act will go to a plenary session vote in May, House Planning Committee deputy, Yasser Omar, tells Al Mal. The committee has concluded its review of the bill, which was originally scheduled to be issued this month, he said. Amendments to the Income Tax Code that would push the deadline for submitting supplementary documentation to tax returns are also up for discussion.