Riyaz advises multinational and domestic businesses on international trade policy and investment matters, international trade strategies and market-access concerns. On international trade regulations, he advises on all aspects of economic sanctions, export and import controls, national security, anti-bribery laws, government procurement, customs laws, transfer pricing and trade remedies such as anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures.
A significant part of Riyaz’s practice focusses on assisting clients operating overseas that have to contend with political risks, anti-corruption and corporate social responsibility obligations. Among Riyaz's current clients are several mining and oil & gas companies including, two of the largest gold companies in the world, and Canada’s largest independent oil companies with significant international presence.
Riyaz also acts as counsel in international trade and investment disputes involving the application of trade laws and regulations and the enforcement of treaties. He has acted as counsel from the time of the very earliest WTO disputes concerning Canada, and the first two investment arbitrations under Canada’s bilateral investment promotion and protection treaties. During his more than 25 years of practice, Riyaz has advised and represented leading businesses in a full range of industry sectors.
Riyaz is consistently sought out as an expert source by Canada’s two national daily newspapers (The Globe and Mail and National Post) and several legal and industry publications to comment on current developments in anti-corruption laws, economic sanctions, free trade agreement negotiations and other international trade events affecting Canadian businesses.