Russia-Central Asia 2025 showed growth volumes surpassing US$45 billion and Russian energy (gas, LPG) exports significantly up, driven by Central Asian states balancing ties with Russia and China. Key developments include increased Russian gas & LPG supplies, new integration initiatives like CIS+ formats, and Central Asia’s multi-vector foreign policies amidst sanctions pressure, highlighting Moscow’s continued economic push despite competing global interests. Master the business environment of Central Asia with a Russian focus. Analyze EAEU market integration, investment projects, and trade dynamics for businesses operating in or with this strategic region.
Russia’s Arnest Group have invested in a cosmetics production facility in Uzbekistan to develop additional Central Asian export markets for its products. The company is best known overseas for acquiring Unilever’s assets and brands when they exited the Russian market.
The Russian and Uzbek Prime Ministers are to meet in Moscow on Monday to discuss developing trade and investment. About 3,000 Russian companies have invested in Uzbekistan and about 700 Uzbeki companies into Russia. Bilateral trade grew by 6.4% in 2025.
Tajikistan is considering the purchase of Russian-built railway equipment, including freight, passenger and maintenance equipment. Direct Dushanbe-Moscow rail is being planned as are bus services. Bilateral trade between the two countries is expected to growth 2.5 times between now and 2030.
Middle East uncertainties continue to reorganise supply chains throughout Eurasia. This is leading to a resumption of plans to recommence work on a second planned Russian gas pipeline transiting Kazakhstan to feed consumer markets in China. The plans would also help energise Kazakhstan’s northern regions.
Russian rail connectivity and freight volumes with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation countries has been increasing and is set to continue this trend. We examine the rail development plans of each of the major national carriers as it becomes apparent that overland supply chains must improve in the wake of regional maritime uncertainties and conflicts.
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Kazakhstan and Russia are making significant efforts to boost Eurasian continental rail connectivity with China, in moves that will further secure supply chains in the wake of current maritime shipping problems. We examine the trends and the longer term impacts.
Russia’s Wildberries & Russ has established a WB Taxi pilot taxi hailing service in Kyrgyzstan as the company both enters the domestic market and tests for a later launch in Russia. WB Taxi users have access to the Standard, Comfort, and Multi fares, 24/7 voice support, and chat functionality. There is also a loyalty programme.
Russia’s Ozon online marketplace has entered Turkmenistan and has partnered with the national postal service to arrange deliveries. Ozon is one of Russia’s largest and pioneering e-commerce companies, often referred to as the “Amazon of Russia”, offering millions of products across multiple categories and sustaining a wide logistics and delivery network. It has had significant growth in Central Asia in recent years.
The Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Shymkent to attend a Eurasian Economic Union Intergovernmental Commission. Russia-Kazakh bilateral trade has reached nearly US$30 billion, ahead of schedule, while Russian investment in Kazakhstan has reached US$50 billion. The two countries collaborate in energy, agricultural and numerous engineering sectors.
Russia’s FESCO Transport Group is emerging as an significant Asian regional multimodal carrier as it begins servicing intra-Asian and not just Russian trade. As an example, the group recently shipped Vietnamese vehicles to Kazakhstan.
Rosatom have begun work on Kazakhstan’s first Nuclear Power Plant and is looking to expand cooperation with other international partners in Kazakhstan’s growing nuclear energy industry. The country possesses significant uranium reserves.
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