Latest updates, insights, and analysis.
Both Russia’s inbound and outbound tourism sectors are booming despite Western sanctions designed to prevent it. Instead, the market has completely recalibrated. We deep dive what is happening in this important development sector and the economic impact and investments this is producing both in Russia and in overseas markets.
Russia’s VTB bank has rolled out a QR code payment system throughout Thailand, allowing its Russian clients to make instantaneous payments of up to US$1,3460 a time via selected outlets. With 2 million Russian tourists expected to visit Thailand this year, the system bypasses Western financial sanctions and gives back independence to both Thai retailers and Russian consumers.
Chicken Wars: Russia has been developing a ‘super chicken’ aimed at competing with dominant Western varietals. With food security and Western sanctions and trade tariffs now a concern for China as well as smaller economies, Russia’s varietal is less expensive, apparently better quality and looks set to compete on a global basis.
The Russia -Thailand Joint Trade Commission has met in Moscow, with Thailand pushing hard for a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. We deep dive the bilateral relationship, in a complementary trade and services basket that could see their trade increase to US$5 billion by 2030.
Russia has increased its exports of agricultural produce to China by 34.4% this year, with China wanting to diversify supplies of critical imports such as soy beans, crucial for maintaining China’s massive livestock industry.
Russia and South Korea have both increased their ice cream exports into each others markets. Young Russian consumers are buying into the K-Pop phenomena while Soviet classic recipes are nostalgic and popular with older Koreans.
Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union have reduced to zero all tariffs and customs duties levied on all types of oil based fuels and related products. We compare this with the situation in the European Union.
The 2026 Russian-Mexican Business Forum has just taken place in Moscow. While bilateral trade remains small, it is growing. We examine the current trends and prospects in tourism, agriculture, energy and investment and issues to overcome in a trade relationship that looks poised to take off.
Russia has tweaked its inbound foreign investment requirements and is looking for FDI that will utilise Russian manufacturing to add value. In addition, the ‘buy-back’ re-entry requirements into Russia for companies that exited the market yet wish to return have been tightened. We also examine the current inbound FDI volumes into Russia and look at the numbers of Western investors remaining operational in the country.
Armenia is set on an apparent course to choose between the Eurasian Economic Union, the European Union, and a potential third alternative to go it alone. We examine the physical, rather than the political arguments that showcase the reality behind each of these alternatives.
Russia’s online gaming industry is projected to be worth US$3 billion by 2030, with an estimated 68 million users and growing. Over 76% of this volume is supplied by Chinese companies. We examine the distinctive cross-border operations of China-Russia digital products, analyse which games are popular and the logistics and financial reasons why.
Argentina – Russia trade and relations have been somewhat erratic in recent years but have been showing signs of growth. We examine the trade background, current situation and the BRICS issue and look at obstacles, opportunities and what may lie ahead.
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