Belt and Road Weekly Investor Intelligence #81

There’s plenty of Eurasian Supply Chain developments to follow this week, starting with the European Union routes to and from Asia, including specific commentary on the Caucasus, Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and manufacturing / sourcing options in Bangladesh. We deep dive into Sri Lanka’s real fiscal and structural problems, examine the background to China-Russian bilateral trade, and look at increasing intra-EAEU trade volumes.

Eurasia’s Shifting Supply Chains  

European-Asian Geopolitics – The Implications of Shifting Supply Chains in Wake of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Part Two: The Caucasus & Iran 

European Union supply chain routes run through to South and Southeast Asia via the International North-South Transportation Corridor. But is Iran stable enough?

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Discuss Cooperation in China-Central Asia-Europe Supply Chain & Manufacturing Corridors 

Uzbekistan, which is land-locked, and Turkmenistan, which has port access to the Caspian sea, share a 1,793km border. Uzbekistan has significant trade agreements with the European Union and United Kingdom and needs assistance with getting products to markets in Europe.

Diversifying Europe-Asia Supply Chains: The Bangladesh Option 

Bangladesh has preferential EU and UK trade rights until 2031 and could be a China alternative.

Sri Lanka’s Problems are a Result of Gross Fiscal Mismanagement and Misappropriation, Not Because of China Debt Traps, Covid, or Ukraine   

Sri Lanka’s economic salvation lies in opening up the economy to Asian free trade, instead of constantly squeezing the domestic market.

Understanding the China-Russia Trade, Investment & Economic Relationship in the Context of the Ukraine Conflict 

As sanctions against Russia mount, China could offset some of its neighbor’s pain by buying more but would also be wary of running foul itself of potential sanctions. We highlight key areas of trade cooperation between China and Russia.

Ukraine Conflict: Impact on European & Asian Supply Chains: Daily Updates 

Eurasian Economic Union  

Intra-Eurasian Economic Union Trade Up 20% in Q1 2022  

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Bakhyt Sultanov, has stated that “Mutual trade between the EAEU member states went up over 20% in the first quarter of 2022.” Kazakhstan also announced significant trade jumps with China and the negotiation of a free trade services agreement with Turkey.

Belt & Road Initiative  

China’s Belt & Road and Beyond 

All the latest global headlines about China’s Belt & Road Initiative

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