Latest updates, insights, and analysis.
Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, has stated it is interesting in using Malaysia as a base for launching its space vehicles, satellites and other spacecraft as the country has the ideal geographical position to reach orbit.
China-Russia bilateral trade grew by 15% in Q1 2026, with some surprising trade growth areas aside from oil and gas. In March alone, trade was up 20% on the same time last year. We identify the primary trade growth drivers and compare with previous years.
Russia’s Arnest Group have invested in a cosmetics production facility in Uzbekistan to develop additional Central Asian export markets for its products. The company is best known overseas for acquiring Unilever’s assets and brands when they exited the Russian market.
Russia’s Rosatom is discussing with the Republic of Congo to build two small hydroelectric power plants in the country. The project will serve as the basis for developing Congo’s energy system and for expanding the practical experience of bilateral cooperation.
The latest Russia-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission has been held in Zangilan, in the Azerbaijan’s Eastern Zangezur region, to inspire attention in developing the recent Armenian deposed area. Also discussed were connectivity issues with Iran’s Rascht-Astara railway, with construction currently suspended due to the Iran war.
Chinese investors have provided heavy duty equipment for expanding Russia’s Osterra Port near Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East. The port is a major gateway for Russian coal exports to the Asia Pacific.
The Russian and Algerian Foreign Ministers have met in Turkiye as both attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Bilateral trade is currently running at about US$3 billion per annum, with targets made to reach US$10 billion by 2030.
The Russian and Rwandan Foreign Ministers have met in Turkiye to better understand how to improve bilateral trade and investment. Rwanda is interested in nuclear power technology, while bilateral trade, while small, has been rapidly growing.
Russia’s Rostec, in conjunction with Chinese investors, is building a cross-border ‘hydrogen fuel corridor’ in the Russian Far East to better service their bilateral highway logistics capabilities. Hydrogen fuel cells perform better in cold weather conditions than either diesel or electric trucks, but a supply chain network of filling stations needs to be established.
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak is visiting the Republic of the Congo, which is among the top ten in African oil reserves. We discuss bilateral trade and Russian investment into this key West African nation, which can also help power the Sahel region.
The Russian Ministry of Finance has stated it is looking at issuing Chinese Yuan-denominated bonds to replace expiring Euro-bonds and may do so as early as May. It is the latest in on-going, consistent moves to remove the US dollar and Euro from the Russian governments trade portfolio and replace them with alternative, mainly Asian currencies.
Russia-Egypt bilateral agricultural trade increased 7% in Q1 2026, with Russian exports rising 5%, according to the Russian Agriculture Ministry. Russian supplies traditionally consists of grains and oil and fat products, while imports from Egypt are mainly fruit, vegetables and berries. Trade in mineral fertilizers also grew by 68% last year.
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