Belt And Road Weekly Investor Intelligence #103  

Tuesday, October 18, 2022 

Compiled by Chris Devonshire-Ellis  

China has announced the potential for its largest BRI investment into Russia should their new Meridian Highway JV win tenders, while important Heads of State Summits took place in Kazakhstan involving the CIS and EAEU members as Moscow looks to reassure Central Asia over sanctions, trade and investment.

Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are gaining ground in the current geopolitical restructuring of supply chains, while Iran is linking its National Grid to SCO member states and is unhappy with Chabahar Ports Indian operator. Russia looks to a digital ruble pilot in early 2023 while its MNCs are relocating to tax beneficial SARs. We finish with a round up of Western-censored Russian geopolitical, energy and trade news as well as our usual BRI global round up.

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CHINA  

China-Russia JV To Consider US$9 billion Meridian Highway Construction 

The proposed route will link Russia and China by toll highway in what would be China’s largest BRI investment into Russia. 

CENTRAL ASIA  

CIS Heads Of State, and Russia-Central Asia Forum Meetings In Astana: Analysis & Opinion 

Increased trade, investment, and regional security promised by Putin as 2022 Russia-Central Asia trade grows by 16% YTD, yet tensions remain over sanctions and Afghanistan.    

Kazakhstan Benefitting From Middle Corridor Haulage 

Growth in transit volumes between Europe and China via Khorgos.  

Turkmenistan ATM Network and Bank Card Usage On The Rise 

Investment opportunities exist where trade capital is accessible. 

Iran To Connect National Grid To Russia And Other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Countries 

The decision to connect the power systems in Iran and the former Soviet republics was made at the recent Caspian Sea summit, and efforts are underway to connect the country’s national grid to Russia and other SCO member states through a transmission line passing through Turkmenistan. 

Iran Disappointed With Chabahar Ports Indian Operator, Seeks Alternatives 

IPGL Accused Of Providing Just 3% Of Total Chabahar Trade Throughput.  

MIDDLE EAST  

Russia, UAE Discuss Elements Of Developing A New World Order 

Thousands of Russian Digital Nomads Are Taking Up Residence In The Emirates.  

RUSSIA  

Russia To Pilot The Digital Ruble From April 2023 

“The Digital Ruble is a replacement for the Cash Ruble” – Russian Deputy Minister of Finance Aleksey Moiseev on Russia’s plans for state cryptocurrency.    

Russian Corporate Tax Use Of Special Administrative Regions Doubles in 2022 

Despite high capitalization costs, the use of Russian SARs is increasing.  

What The Western Media Isn’t Telling You: Russian Geopolitical, Energy, Economic & Trade Developments: Daily Updates 

Russia’s geopolitical, energy and trade, and investment updates. A VPN may be required to access the content.

BRI GLOBAL   

China’s Belt and Road & Beyond    

A global media roundup of all the latest international news, analysis, and opinion from the BRI. 

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