Belt And Road Weekly Investor Intelligence #97

Tuesday, September 6, 2022  

Compiled By Chris Devonshire-Ellis  

We have a strong line up for you today, starting with an overview of the changing supply, energy and commodity chains that are now impacting Europe and Eurasia, while a Middle Eastern flavor this week adds spice as the BRI makes moves into the region and commits both infrastructure and investment. All roads, it seems, are leading to Dubai at present as businesses look to new developing transit and business opportunity hubs. Browse through and see what we have in store.

EURASIA  

Welcome To The New Eurasia   

Where supply chains in all commodities from energy and flowing downstream into production lines and manufacturing capabilities are emerging, has become the new global development science.

CHINA  

China’s Engagement With The Gulf Cooperation Council  

Updates on the pending free trade agreement and recent investments.  

The Middle East’s Tax, Investment, and Trade Agreements with Hong Kong 

Increasing Hong Kong-Middle East ties as DTA and FTA are there to springboard Arabic finance into Hong Kong to be repackaged for China and the South Asian regions.  

Hong Kong And Singapore To Provide “Bankability, Responsibility, and Interconnectedness” Throughout The Belt & Road Initiative 

New roles for Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai as Asian financial hubs.

ASEAN 

Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates Conclude Trade Pact  

Indonesia’s 280 million Muslims a target for Islamic investment from the Gulf.

Indonesia Ratifies RCEP Trade Agreement  

Indonesia formally joins the South-East Asian RCEP free trade bloc.

CENTRAL ASIA  

Turkmenistan Signs Drilling Pipes Contract With China   

China selling oil drilling equipment to Turkmenistan.

Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan Rail Cargo Volumes Up  

A natural evolution of the China-Caspian trade corridor.

MIDDLE EAST  

The GCC-Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Opportunities for Gulf Businesses in ASEAN 

Under the Gulf Cooperation Council and Singapore free trade agreement (GSFTA), both countries enjoy duty-free access to each other’s markets as well as reduced or eliminated tariffs on a large variety of goods and services.

Abu Dhabi & Singapore Investors Commit US$300 Million in Chinese Plasma-Based Pharmaceuticals Tech 

The deal marks a uniting of investment plans between leading Chinese medical tech businesses, and investors in ASEAN and the UAE, a growing trend as the Middle East and South-East Asia begin to pool their investments as alternatives to increasing complexities involving the US, and to some extent EU regulatory systems and the extrajudicial conditions they tend to impose.

Iran Set To Join Russia’s MIR Card Payment System   

SWIFT sanctions busting in the Middle East.

Iran, China, India & Russia To Create Regional Aviation Maintenance Hub 

A significant development that will pave the way for moves away from Boeing and Airbus.

RUSSIA / EAEU / CIS  

Eurasian Economic Union May Set Up SEZ In Cuba   

Cuba has proposed that the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) create an industrial park on the island. The proposed industrial park may be created in Cuba’s special economic zone, Mariel, on a 50-hectare (123-acre) plot of land. Cuba has proposed lending the plot for 50 years to the EAEU, with prospects to prolong the deeds, the EAEU has stated.

Georgia To Develop Dubai Style Artificial Palm Islands Off Batumi  

The Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has laid the founding stone and presented the construction permit for the development of the US$100 million “Ambassador Batumi Island” in the Black Sea resort city of Batumi, on Georgia’s Black Sea Coast.

Moscow Exchange To Start Russian Ruble / Uzbeki Som Trading 

Moves away from the US dollar and early signs of alternative currency blocs developing – as the IMF predicted – could happen.

Russia’s Chelyabinsk Makes Trade & Investment Moves Into Azerbaijan 

Russia regions now seeking to make their own trade corridors and exploit their individual ties.

Russia – Israel Trade and Investment 2022  

A 2023 rebound on the way following sanctions disruption as trade revolves around the global diamond industry.

Mikhail Gorbachev’s China Legacy  

An unrecognized aspect of the late Soviet leader’s impact on China was that it helped pave the way for the country to become today’s significant global economy.

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