Including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and an associate in Turkmenistan, the CIS is a Eurasian trade bloc that achieved about US$125 billion in multilateral trade in 2025, with an average GDP growth rate of approximately 4.7%. Key developments include new trade platforms (CIS Plus), focus on infrastructure like the CKU railway, and expansion of free trade agreements, especially for services, enhancing regional economic integration within Eurasia and beyond. Understand the CIS market for business. Get analysis on trade regulations, economic integration, and cross-border investment opportunities within this key post-Soviet economic zone.
Russia’s Promomed biopharmaceutical company has received approval from the Kazakh Ministry of Health to supply Tirzetta, a drug used in the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus and obesity. It is also commonly marketed as a ‘beauty’ weight loss medication. According to the WHO, 56% of Kazakhstan’s adult population are overweight.
The Russian and Kazakh Presidentshave met in Bishkek to discuss bilateral cooperation. Trade volumes have jumped 15% this year to date and if maintained will reach the US$30 billion goal the two Presidents agreed upon in 2024, well ahead of schedule.
The Russian and Tajikistan Presidents have met in Bishkek to discuss bilateral relations and regional security. Trade has been growing at 25% per annum and is at record levels, Tajikistan is also considering nuclear power options as it looks to diversify its energy mix.
The Russian and Uzbekistan Presidents have met in Bishkek. We summarise the latest trade and investment data as bilateral trade grew by 8.4% last year. Uzbekistan recently became a BRICS Partner State.
The 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Heads of State summit commences on Tuesday, September 1 in Bishkek. With participants including Russia, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and host Kyrgyzstan, together with leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Laos, Mongolia and Turkiye as well as the United Nations, the SCO is responsible for 36% of all global trade and 42% of the global population. We discuss the agenda and likely outcomes.
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The Uzbek Minister of Agriculture has met with the Russian head of the Mordovia Republic, with both expressing desire to work together. The Uzbek Minister, Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, said that bilateral agricultural trade between Russia and Uzbekistan had grown by 31.7% In 7M 2026.
Russia has increased its electricity exports to Kazakhstan this year, partially as a result of Ukrainian drone attacks on the Caspian Sea Pipeline which feeds Kazakhstan Russian oil. Astana had been attempting to reduce Russian electricity imports but Kiev’s actions have delayed this energy mix shift.
The 2026 Uzbekistan-Bashkortostan Business Forum has just taken place in Ufa, Russia. With bilateral trade growing at 20% this year, we deep dive the relationship between Bashkortostan and Uzbekistan, the investments being made and the prospects of the two countries hitting US$30 billion in trade by 2030.
The 2026 Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Forum has just taken place in Omsk. With bilateral trade growing at over 10% in 2026, we deep dive the extent of their regional integration and logistics and examine the US$833 million worth of investments signed during the event as both countries are set to deepen Eurasian connectivity.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov has met with Bakhtiyor Saidov, the Uzbekistan Minister of Foreign Affairs. Bilateral trade is growing at 20% per annum, but much needs to be done to improve their infrastructure and logistics capabilities. We examine the key issues and discuss the critical areas of their trade and investment development.
Kazakh President Tokayev has proposed the creation of a digital transport corridor along the busiest Russia-Kazakhstan route, which he says would double its freight transport capacity in this rapidly growing sector.
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