Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has pointed out that growth in trade between Russia and Turkmenistan is not expanding at a pace that satisfies the governments of the two nations. The remarks were carried by RIA News, illustrating a continued push to strengthen economic ties between Moscow and Ashgabat.
In a recent briefing, Mishustin highlighted that efforts to broaden trade and economic cooperation are ongoing, with a noticeable uptick visible in the first quarter of 2024. The growth rate stood at 22 percent, translating to roughly 18 billion rubles in trade value. He stressed that this tempo should be higher, urging stronger actions to deepen bilateral commerce.
He added that the relationship should widen beyond traditional trade into new areas. Specifically, Moscow and Ashgabat should intensify collaboration in science and technology, expand cultural exchanges, and accelerate humanitarian initiatives, alongside ongoing trade and economic development. These domains are viewed as key to building a more resilient and diversified partnership.
In regional diplomacy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov signaled strong momentum in Russia’s broader trade agenda. He projected that by year’s end 2023, trade turnover with Africa would rise significantly, with total volumes climbing by about 30 percent to approach $25 billion after a year of growth. This outlook aligns with Moscow’s strategy to diversify trade partners amid sanctions pressures.
On another front, trade relations with India were described as continuing to strengthen despite a challenging international environment. The pattern of growing commerce persisted, reaching a record level of about $17.5 billion in the preceding year. This development is presented as part of Russia’s broader aim to sustain and broaden strategic economic links with major regional economies.
Earlier reports also noted a decline in Japan’s trade with Russia during April, reflecting shifts in regional trade dynamics and the broader impact of external economic factors on bilateral exchanges. The trend is cited in the context of ongoing efforts to monitor and adapt to evolving market conditions that influence Russia’s international trade posture, including relations with two key Asian partners and the wider Eurasian landscape. [RIA News attribution]