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.
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 President Vladimir Putin has provided his annual speech at this years Valdai Discussion Club, focussing on the trend towards multipolarity, the need for reform at the United Nations, the concept of sovereignty, BRICS, international law, Ukraine, the USSR, Artificial Intelligence, and the Greater Eurasian Partnership. We also provide analysis on what was said. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Moscow’s current thinking as concerns global affairs.
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.
The Russian taxi ordering service WB Taxi is launching early access for users in Yerevan, Wildberries & Russ (RWB) has announced. Users can download the mobile application and leave a request to connect. In the coming weeks, access to the service will gradually be expanded across Armenia.
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Russia’s trade with the Global South and ‘friendly’ countries now accounts for 85% of its total, reaching about US$299 billion in H1 2026. The West provides just 15% of Russia’s economic trade and continues to decline. We examine the main Global South trade partners in all regions, and provide the latest H1 2026 trade data. There are some surprising results for those who assume Russia only trades oil with China and India. The non-energy sector on a worldwide basis is increasingly dominant as Global South trade volumes continue a Russian growth trajectory.
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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