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.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and the Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov have discussed the investment cooperation between the two countries in Moscow. Bilateral trade has been increasing with both countries setting a US$5 billion target. We examine the current bilateral trade and investment profile and where the growth opportunities are.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government have been meeting in Dushanbe to discuss a 2026-2030 trade cooperation roadmap, plans for a digital freight platform and industrial investment-project database, and renewed efforts to establish an SCO Development Bank. Together, these initiatives aim to build on existing trade flows and expand cross-border infrastructure, investment and industrial cooperation. We identify what decisions were made and the implications. This article is of primary interest to anyone involved in Eurasian development and geopolitics.
Uzbekistan’s Ferghana city has proposed setting up an Uzbek-Russia trading house in Primorsky Krai to allow better market access for its products to both Russian, Chinese and other Asian markets. This could establish a new commercial route for Uzbek fresh fruit, dried fruit and agricultural products into the Russian Far East, with potential onward shipments to China and Vietnam. Reciprocal sales channels would give Primorye seafood, dietary supplements, oils, household chemicals and other non-food products access to Uzbekistan’s expanding consumer market.
The CIS Council of Foreign Ministers has met in Turkmenistan, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attending. Overlooked in the mainstream media, the event introduced some strategically dynamic changes to its participation, including Iran and new concepts for Eurasian connectivity and development with wide reaching implications. This article is of primary importance to anyone involved in Eurasian affairs.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, held talks with Rashid Meredov, the Turkmenistan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Turkmenistan is strategically positioned along the “Middle Corridor,” which serves as a crucial trade route between East and West and especially so given the developing INSTC routes between Russia, Iran and Central Asia via the Caspian Sea. We examine the latest bilateral trade and development issues.
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The Russian Foreign Minister, Prime and Deputy Prime Ministers have all held a series of meetings with senior Iranian officials including the President, and Foreign and Trade Ministers. We examine the security issues, two separate rail connectivity developments, nuclear energy, bilateral trade growth and where Iran is poised to fit into the Eurasian and African trade and supply chains. It is essential reading for anyone involved in Middle Eastern and Central Asian affairs.
The Russian and Turkmenistan Presidents have held a bilateral meeting at Avaza, a national tourist zone on Turkmenistan’s Caspian coast, located near the city of Turkmenbashi. Current bilateral trade is about US$2.5 billion and has been growing significantly the past two years. Both governments have set a target to double trade by 2030. We discuss the bilateral trade makeup.
Wildberries are investing US$300 million into a Class A logistics centre in Tashkent, with a view to develop it as a hub for Central Asian e-commerce markets. The value of Russian-Uzbek cooperation projects currently includes more than 200 investments worth about US$6 billion.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi have discussed improving bilateral trade, which has increased 150% in 7M in 2026. There is the possibility for 2026 bilateral trade volumes to reach US$1 billion this year. We discuss the growth sectors.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the UAE have signed an MoU to cooperate on the proposed Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project, also known as the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA). If completed, it would give the region access to Pakistani seaports. This also has implications for Russian exports. We discuss the latest developments and what this means for Russian trade potential.
Russia is eying involvement in Tajikistan’s proposed Hualon Hydropower Plant, with a planned capacity exceeding 2.5 billion kWh. However, Russia is acting cautiously and prefers the construction of wind farms to solve Tajikistan’s winter energy requirements. Discussions are continuing.
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