Russia is poised to have diplomatic representation in 49 of the African continents 54 countries, with another four Embassies to open this year. Russia-Africa relations are growing rapidly with Russia now trading more with Africa than the European Union.
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.
Russia’s TVEL, a subsidiary of Rosatom, has begun delivering nuclear fuel to China’s Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning Province, while also starting work at China’s Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in China’s Jiangsu Province. Similar operations are expected to take place this year in Bangladesh and Turkiye.
Russia’s Wildberries has just begun promoting Ethiopian products for sale on its Russian market platforms. Products such as coffee, tea and flowers are beginning to become popular with Russian consumers. Russian products will be available on Ethiopian online markets later in the year.
Russia’s Rosmorport is negotiating the construction of a maritime hub in Abkhazia, servicing the Black Sea region. Other investors from Africa and Asia are also involved in the project, which would reduce Abkhazia’s dependence on Russian ports and provide additional Black Sea logistics alternatives.
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Russia and Pakistan have commenced discussions concerning a Pakistan-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement. Pakistan has an economy worth over US$2 trillion and a consumer market of over 250 million people. Moscow see Pakistan as a promising partner in the region with significant potential for growth.
Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has met with the Ambassadors of all the 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) members, stressing the need for further cooperation and trade development. The OIC has a combined population of about 25% of the entire world’s people.
Russia and Saudi Arabia are to start their mutual visa-free programme from May 11. There are about 20 million Muslims in Russia, in regions such as Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachay-Cherkessia. The annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca runs from May 24 to Friday May 29.
Sri Lanka has begun purchasing oil from Russia after supplies from its normal Middle East suppliers were disrupted a month ago. The price of fuel has rocketed and shortages have been affecting many aspects of local life and services. The first shipments are due to arrive at the end of this month.
Russia is set to resume its tourist trade with Venezuela after the countries President Maduro was abducted by US forces in January. The local situation appears to have returned to some normality with the resumption of direct flights between Moscow and Isla Marguerita now under discussion.
Russia has stepped up diplomatic and energy supply chain developments this past month with visits to India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, while Pakistan and Afghanistan, both bordering Iran, are also developing as key links in new emerging South Asian oil and gas infrastructure and architecture. We examine what is happening in a region that Russia is almost right in the centre of as regards energy security and future supplies.
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