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Rokas to moderate a panel on Economic and Regional Security for BRICS

THE EURASIA CENTER / EURASIAN BUSINESS COALITION
The 6th Annual “DOING BUSINESS WITH THE BRICS” CONFERENCE

Thursday, May 17, 2018 | Washington, DC | 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Evening Reception 5:30-7:00 pm)

Conference Agenda

EMBASSY OF SOUTH AFRICA (Morning Session)
3051 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008

9:00 – 9:15 am – Welcome:  South African Ambassador Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu
Keynote Speaker:  Mikhail Kalugin, Representative for Russia to the BRICS, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

9:30 – 10:15 am – 1st Morning Panel
New Developments in the BRICS – Multinational Investment Support for Businesses:
Moderator: Charles Sills, Senior Advisor, The Eurasia Center/EBC
Rita Ramalho, Manager, Doing Business Unit, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Bart W. Édes, Representative of the North American Office, ADB

Keynote Speaker: Professor Xiaochen Chen from RDCY, China

10:15 – 11:15 am – 2nd Morning Panel
Expanding Market Share & Trade Development with the BRICS: Opportunities for Product & Service Sector Growth, Moderator: Richard Trifan, VP, Government Relations & Trade, EC/EBC
Arunish Chawla, Minister, Economic Affairs, Embassy of India
Malose Letsoalo, Minister, Economic & Commercial Section, Embassy of South Africa
Sameer Somal CFO, Blue Ocean Global Technology

11:15 – 11:30 am – BRICS Networking Break

11:30 am – 12:30 pm – 3rd Morning Panel & Lunch
New Infrastructure, Transportation Projects & Joint Ventures with the BRICS
Moderator: Earl Rasmussen, Executive Vice President, Eurasia Center/EBC
Ian Twinn, Head, Infrastructure Portfolio EMENA at IFC (International Finance Corporation)
Secretary Ricardo Daskal Hirschbruch, Head, Trade & Investment Bureau, Embassy of Brazil
Richard Coyle, Principal, The Denrich Group

Reston Limousine Bus Service available to Paid Conference Participants (transfer) 1:00 pm

2:00 pm – Welcoming Remarks: Major General Luis Rodriguez Bocio, Chairman of the IADB, Council of Delegates

2:15 – 3:15 pm – 4th Panel Afternoon
Initiatives for Technological Innovation with the BRICS: The New Energy Grid
Moderator: Ralph Winnie Jr., VP Global Development, Director China Program, EBC
Andre Bondarov, Head, Russian Economic Division
Counselor Lucinia Mancini, Head, Science & Technology Office, Embassy of Brazil
Igor Danchenko, Expert on Russian and Eurasian Energy and Economics Issues

3:15 – 4:15 pm – 5th Panel Afternoon
BRICS: Managing Political/Financial Risk, Legal Developments and Challenges
Prospects for Improving East and West Relations, The Way Forward
Moderator: Tom Thomson, Managing Principal, T. Thomson & Associates
Mikhail Usubyan, Special Legal Counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLC
Michael Skopets, Attorney, Miller & Chevalier Chartered
Rajen Ranchhoojee, Special Legal Counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

4:15 – 4:30 pm – BRICS Networking Break

4:30 – 5:30 pm – 6th Panel Afternoon
Economic and Regional Security for the BRICS: Global Growth Regions
Moderator: Rokas Beresniovas
Elena Beier, B&P Beier and Partners
Gene Burd, Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory, LLP
Robert Galiullin, Trade Representative of the Republic of Tatarstan

5:30 – 7:00 pm – Evening Reception and Golden BRICS Awards

Register here.

Web Partners is proud to announce and welcome Rokas Beresniovas as the company’s new Senior Vice President of Growth. Beresniovas will be in charge of Web Partners’ sales, marketing, and business development strategy and execution, as well as contributing to product improvement and general management responsibilities. Beresniovas said, “I am drawn to this position in digital marketing because I have long worked with healthcare professionals on the financial side of development. This will be an amazing opportunity to help grow their brands and identities in a new, relevant way.”

Mark Zawodny, President and CEO of Web Partners, added “Rokas comes with a breadth of sales and business development experience, along with strong leadership skills. As a company focused on providing exceptional service, Rokas clearly demonstrates passion and dedication for growing businesses, which our healthcare clients expect and deserve. We’re looking forward to his contribution to the team.”

A native of Lithuania, Rokas Beresniovas holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Kaunas College. He has over 15 years experience leading sales and business development efforts for companies such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, HSBC Bank, State Bank of India, and most recently CAF America, where he was Senior Director of Development for North America. He is active in the community, serving on advisory boards for Kids 4 Peace International, End Violence Against Women International, and an honorary advisory board member for The Embassy Series. Recently, Rokas was awarded the 2016 SmartCEO Washington DC Executive Management Award.

About Web Partners

Web Partners is an award-winning digital marketing agency that exclusively serves the healthcare industry. Formerly known as Tivilon, the company was established in 2001 and has since grown to become a trusted, results-driven provider for well-recognized clients, such as Chesapeake Urology, Ascension Health, and Capital Women’s Care. Our CURIS™ Web Platform is a one-of-a-kind, HIPAA-compliant digital patient acquisition tool that includes our custom website design, social media, content creation, analytics, and reputation management services. We provide exceptional service to the medical community.

For more information about Web Partners, visit: or call (877) 848-4566.

Read more.

By Jayshal Sood | June 21, 2017

Interview with the group’s Senior Director of Development Rokas Beresniovas.

Rokas Beresniovas is the Senior Director of Development, Marketing, and Communications at Charities Aid Foundation – America. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, CAF America bridges the gap between donors and beneficiaries. The organization has a presence in six continents and ensures that philanthropists both institutional and individual experience a hassle-free and effective transition of funds within the US as well as abroad. With experience spanning more than two decades, the organization has been managing charitable funds to the tune of more than $4 billion.

Prior to joining CAF America, the Lithuania-born Beresniovas was a Vice President at the State Bank of India California in Washington, DC.  He is a winner of the 2016 SmartCEO Washington DC Executive Management Award and was a finalist for the 2015 SmartCEO Washington DC Money Manager Award.

He has also served on the boards of a number of community organizations, including the Georgetown Business Association (GBA), Kids 4 Peace International and End Violence Against Women International.

In a freewheeling interview with the American Bazaar, Beresniovas talks about the organization’s endeavors for a clean and effectual philanthropic environment, globally, and, its plans to start diaspora funds.

Tell us about CAF America’s activities in India and South Asia. 

CAF America operates globally by supporting organizations that address immediate social needs through charitable giving, as well as maintaining connections between global communities. Our work in India and South Asia is no different and, by utilizing our services, donors are able to support a variety of great causes throughout the region ranging from food distribution to literacy training to environmental concerns, and many more. Additionally, our Global Alliance partner, CAF India, operates extensively within the country and works with a number of organizations on the ground.

For individual philanthropists and small organizations, what are the advantages of working with CAF America?

There are several advantages to working with a mid-size organization like CAF America. We are a proven leader in international giving with 25 years of experience in the field and counting. This allows our clients to give confidently, knowing their interests guide what we do on a day-to-day basis. In choosing to pursue philanthropic initiatives through CAF America, our clients are relieved of the administrative burdens of grantmaking while still being able to support the causes and issues that matter to them around the globe while still receiving a US tax-deduction that also benefits their growth and profitability in the US.

Our trusted expertise also allows us to explore creative solutions tailored to our clients should the need arise, including aligning charitable donations with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – in support of the SDG Philanthropy Platform, of which we are a partner along with other industry leaders such as the Hilton, Rockefeller, Ford, and MasterCard Foundations.

CAF America recently started a diaspora fund for Bangladesh. Tell us more about it.

The Diaspora Gives Bangladesh (DGB) is a recent philanthropic initiative of CAF America’s that is designed to engage with the Bangladesh diaspora and provide them with an easy, safe, and effective model to give back to Bangladesh with funds earned abroad.

DGB is a partnership led by CAF America with USAID and Chevron as instrumental partners. By providing a solution for international, tax-effective giving, DGB enables members of the diaspora to give in a concerted manner to support a variety of causes and geographic areas.

Diaspora communities possess a significant amount of financial and human capital while often having considerable interest in giving back to their home countries to address economic and social challenges. DGB’s objective is to empower the Bangladeshi diaspora to tax-effectively channel philanthropic capital to their country of origin in ways that are beneficial for community and country-wide sustainable development.

Are you considering similar funds targeting other diaspora groups, including Indian Americans?

CAF America is indeed considering opening similar funds focused toward other diaspora populations. Bangladesh is our inaugural initiative, but through diligent monitoring and research we expect to be able to identify a number of suitable diaspora communities residing in North America with which we hope to engage.

You are transitioning from banking to philanthropy and development. How big of a challenge is that?

Philanthropy and NGO’s both require considerable due diligence to ensure that the client’s financial capital is used for its intended purpose. This requires adhering to regulations, such as anti-money laundering rules, as well as taking care to mitigate risk and protect the client’s reputation. The difference with international development is that the financial investment also help donors to give back internationally to vetted charities around the world, which is a rewarding way to help direct investments. Read more.

Rokas to moderate a panel on Social Development With the BRICS at the Embassy of Russian Federation in Washington DC

THE EURASIA CENTER / EURASIAN BUSINESS COALITION The 5th Annual “DOING BUSINESS WITH THE BRICS” CONFERENCE

Monday, May 15, 2017 |Washington, DC | 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Evening Reception 5:30-7:00 pm)

In Cooperation with:

The Ambassadors and Embassies of the BRICS Nations, Washington, DC

Hogan Lovells Conference Center (Morning Session) 555 13^th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004

THE EMBASSY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (Afternoon Session) 2650 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Conference Agenda

8:00 – 9:00 am – Registration/Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 am – Welcome/Introduction
Dr. Christine Warnke, Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor, Hogan Lovells
The Eurasia Center/Eurasian Business Coalition Officials

9:15 – 10:15 am – 1st Morning Panel
New Developments in the BRICS – Multinational Investment Support for Businesses:
New Development Bank (NDB/BRICS); Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
Moderator: Charles Sills, Senior Advisor, The Eurasia Center/EBC
Minister Fernando Pimentel, Head of the Economic Section, Embassy of Brazil
Gilles Alfandari, Advisor, Multilateral Organizations, The World Bank
Kate Bishop, Business Development, EXIM Bank

10:15 – 11:15 am – 2nd Morning PanelExpanding Market Share & Trade Development with the BRICS: Opportunities for Product & Service Sector Growth, Moderator: Richard Trifan, VP, Government Relations & Trade, EC/EBC
Ambassador James Keith, Managing Director, Leads McLarty Associates Asia Practice
Arunish Chawla, Minister, Economic Affairs, Embassy of India
Malose Letsoalo, Minister, Economic & Commercial Section, Embassy of South Africa

11:15 – 11:40 am – BRICS Networking Break

11:40 am – 12:45 pm – 3rd Morning Panel & Lunch
New Infrastructure, Transportation Projects & Joint Ventures with the BRICS
Moderator: Earl Rasmussen, Executive Vice President, Eurasia Center/EBC
Aman Khanna, Consultant, World Bank
Secretary Ricardo Daskal Hirschbruch, Head, Trade & Investment Bureau, Embassy of Brazil
Suzanne Etcheverry, Director, Funds Portfolio Management, Overseas Private Investment Corporation

Reston Limousine Bus Service available to Paid Conference Participants (transfer) 1:00 pm

Conference Continues at The Embassy of the Russian Federation

THE EMBASSY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (Afternoon Session)
2650 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

2:00 pm – Welcoming Remarks
Denis Gonchar, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Russian Federation

2:15 – 3:15 pm – 4th Panel Afternoon
Initiatives for Technological Innovation with the BRICS: The New Energy Grid
Moderator: Ralph Winnie Jr., VP Global Development, Director China Program, EBC
Christine Warnke, Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor, Hogan Lovells
Andrey Bondarev, Head, Economic Section, Embassy of the Russian Federation
Li Bin, Counselor, Head, Economic Affairs Section, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

3:15 – 4:15 pm – 5th Panel Afternoon
BRICS: Managing Political/Financial Risk, Legal Developments and Challenges
Prospects for Improving East and West Relations, The Way Forward
Moderator: Tom Thomson, Managing Director, T. Thomson & Associates
Rajen Ranchhoojee, Special Legal Counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Thomas Sullivan, Attorney, Marks & Sokolov, LLC
Timothy O’Toole, Attorney, Miller & Chevalier Charterece

4:15 – 4:30 pm – BRICS Networking Break

4:30 – 5:30 pm – 6th Panel Afternoon
Global Growth Regions in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa
Social development with the BRICS: Education, Health, Workforce Training
Moderator: Rokas Beresniovas, Senior Director, CAF America (Charities Aid Foundation of America)
Vlad Sukhoparov, Director, Eurasian Markets, Research International
Aleksandr Kondrashin, future official working for Trade with the Russian Far East, Moscow
Sergei Andronikov, Dean, School of Business, American College of Commercial Technology
Ksenia Dyadyunova, Eiffel Scholar, Aix-Marseille University Labor Law Center (CDS)

5:30 – 7:00 pm – Evening Reception and Golden BRICS Awards

Register here.

naisA Career Mentoring Session

Jan 30 Mentoring Session Flyer

 

(AB Wire)

One of the clearest options for overseas Indians is to travel back to India to exchange the notes in person.

In the past week, ever since the Government of India announced that they will be phasing out the 500 and 1,000 ($7.35; $14.70 ) Indian rupee denominations to combat corruption and the “black money” economy, my inbox and phone have been off the hook.

I work for a bank based out of India operating in the US and people who relied on the black money currency want to deposit it before it becomes worthless. In the morning, I usually find up to 100 messages from the night before and during the day, sometimes all four lines are ringing simultaneously. And then there are walk-ins. Yesterday, one person came in with a grocery bag overflowing with rupees. Today, I got yelled at in person, which I guess was at least a change from getting yelled at on email.

The 22 billion banned currency notes represent 85% of the cash in circulation in India, which is an overwhelmingly cash-based economy. This change represents a challenging overhaul, but it is intended to move away from untaxed, below board exchanges to benefit the modernization of the country in the long run. Experts say, this decision will make or break Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister.

Despite many rumors about which banks do or do not accept or exchange rupees in the United States, the fact is, they are not legal banking tender in the United States of America. Not even our bank, even with the word “India” in the bank’s name, takes deposits in Indian money. We are regulated by the U.S. authority and do business in U.S. currency just like any other bank here.

So where does the confusion arise? Some banks offer something called foreign currency accounts, but they are often for high premiums, only for competitive foreign currencies, and require vetting processes for high level investors in the international market.

Additionally, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) says that Indians could deposit the bills in non-resident ordinary rupee accounts, a type of bank account where people living abroad park income earned in India.  However, even if you do have a non-resident ordinary rupee account that account is still located in India and not in the U.S. Therefore, you still have to travel to India in order to make that cash deposit.

One of the clearest options for overseas Indians is to travel back to India to exchange the notes in person. Indians will be able to exchange their old notes for new ones at the country’s banks until December 30. Overall, the difficult reality is that U.S. banks do not operate on these notes, and there is little the banks can do. I hope this clears up the confusion that people might have.

Read more.

 

Rokas Beresniovas named SmartCEO 2016 Center of Influence Honoree in Washington DC.
The Centers of Influence Awards program honors the leadership, innovation, impact and success of the region’s most enterprising accountants, attorneys and bankers. These professionals represent the best and brightest in the region and have demonstrated an unrivaled commitment to their clients.

Please join me to celebrate International Peace Day
to benefit Kids 4 Peace International

September 21
6:00pm – 8:00pm

The Balcony of Baker & McKenzie
815 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington DC

Wine, beer & food provided | Business attire

Please register @ http://www.k4p.org/peaceday/

Please join me for an evening with Dr. Madeleine K. Albright and Max Weinberg, E Street Band and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Drummer

August 31
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Hill Country BBQ
410 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Please register @ https://goo.gl/7xMRky