Belt and Road Weekly Investor Intelligence #95

There is a strong Central Asian theme this week and especially with Uzbekistan, where reforms and infrastructure developments are transforming the BRI supply chains. That is spilling over into Turkmenistan also. In China, we look at the practical issues of importing goods from Taiwan and the benefits of the Mongolia Double Tax Treaty. Elsewhere we look at how Turkiye is taking on the role as distributor of EU and US products to Russia, and India’s hopes of highway links deep into ASEAN.

A complimentary subscription to this and other Asia Briefing weekly roundups can be obtained here.

CHINA  

Practical Issues in Handling China-Taiwan Trade and Supply Chains  

Import bans and stricter labeling requirements for Taiwanese goods imported to mainland China have raised concerns over delays for companies engaging in import-export and those sourcing components from the Taiwan region and integration into the BRI. We discuss practical steps that companies can take in handling China-Taiwan trade and how to mitigate against future risks.

China-Mongolia DTA: What Are the Key Elements?    

In recent years, the comprehensive strategic partnership between Mongolia and China has developed rapidly, leading to accelerated investment and trade activities between the two countries.

CENTRAL ASIA  

Uzbek INSTC Routes to Europe and South Asia Given a Logistics Boost  

The Uzbekistan Ministry of Transport has agreed to simplify the regulations for international freight traffic with Iran and Turkmenistan. This is significant as Uzbekistan is a double-landlocked country and needs to reply on neighboring states to facilitate trade.

Uzbekistan Asks Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to Establish Mutual Investment Action Plans 

The move is significant because it brings the SCO into sharper focus as a developing regional trade and investment bloc as opposed to being seen as a security grouping. The SCO currently comprises eight member states: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan, while Iran is due to join next month. Observer states include Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia, while Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkiye are dialogue partners.

Turkmenistan ‘Essential’ for Lapis Lazuli Corridor Connectivity 

The Lapis Lazuli Corridor is a vital Eurasian land link.

INDIA  

India Eager for Expansion of Trilateral Highway to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam    

India is keen to push for the expansion of the Trilateral Highway to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam and increase trade with ASEAN. The highway currently links India to Thailand via Myanmar, stretching some 1,400km. If extended, the new route would total approximately 3,200km.

MIDDLE EAST  

Turkish Retailers Gain Rights to Distribute US and EU Sports Brands in Russia  

One way around not having a Russian presence for US and EU retailers: Get someone else to do it for you.

BELT & ROAD INITIATIVE     

China’s Belt & Road and Beyond          

All the latest global headlines, opinion and analysis about China’s Belt & Road Initiative.

• Previous Article Practical Issues in Handling China-Taiwan Trade and Supply Chains
• Next Article China-Türkiye: Bilateral Trade and Future Outlook