How "CIS Plus" and BRICS+ Diplomacy Convert into Real Deals and Business Opportunities?

The week's catalyst was the summits in Dushanbe, where Central Asian and Russian leaders agreed on "CIS Plus" and the deepening of the energy and logistics agenda, from HPP modernization to nuclear projects and the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, as detailed by MIR 24 reports. Concurrently, during Vladimir Putin's visit to Tajikistan, an agreement was signed on the Russian-Tajikistan Industrial Park – a case study that translates diplomatic arrangements into industrial localization, as confirmed by Bash.News.

What Was the Main Event and Why Is It Important for BRICS+?

The primary shift is the launch of the "CIS Plus" format, which makes the Commonwealth's platform open to external partners and connects it with the BRICS/SCO ecosystem. In Dushanbe, leaders agreed on a "plus" model for observer participation, with the SCO being the first; the agenda includes energy (modernization of hydro-nodes, readiness of Russian companies to build new HPPs), nuclear projects in Uzbekistan (two small and two large reactors instead of six small ones), and discussions on small NPPs in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway and the growth of mutual trade settled in national currencies, as described by MIR 24.

"This is an important decision because it makes the organization not just some kind of family gathering, but gives it the status of a truly international organization. There are many who wish to join."

— Vladimir Putin commented on the new format in Dushanbe, as reported by MIR 24.

This effectively serves as a "gateway" for programmatic alignment between CIS–SCO–BRICS and an accelerator for interregional projects driven by real economic demand.

How Did Key Players React — Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Nigeria, and the Regions of the Russian Federation?

The common denominator is the transition from declarations to a working infrastructure for cooperation and production localization.

Kazakhstan emphasized "warm relations" with Moscow and a course towards institutional convergence of CIS, SCO, and BRICS: from security and transport to digitalization, AI, harmonization of regulations, and simplification of customs procedures, as written by “Vybor Naroda”.

In Tajikistan, an agreement was signed on the Russian-Tajikistan Industrial Park: over 9 hectares, a two-stage reconstruction of buildings by the Corporation for Development of Bashkortostan using federal funds and attracting residents; the deal was made within the scope of the Russian President's state visit, as reported by Bash.News.

This enhances the role of subnational actors (regions) as conduits for the BRICS+ foreign economic agenda.

The African vector is reinforced by the visit of the Russian delegation of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance to Nigeria and a public statement of "Russia is the best partner and friend of the world" by the Governor of Bago State; Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlined key areas of cooperation, and the military shared lessons learned from the "Zapad-2025" exercises, as reported by “Krasnaya Vesna”.

What Are the Systemic Consequences: What Do "CIS Plus" and the Energy Agenda Change?

The systemic effect is an open architecture. "CIS Plus" institutionalizes the participation of external players: an observer format, with the SCO being the first, and a flexible model of invitations based on session agendas (China, Mongolia, and Afghanistan were named among areas of interest). Against the backdrop of Sergey Lebedev's re-election as Secretary General and the growth of intra-CIS trade (+7% to $112 billion, settled in national currencies), the region gains a legitimate "entry point" for large infrastructure and energy projects, including nuclear and hydropower, as well as human resources programs based at the MEPhI branch in Tashkent, as detailed by MIR 24.

What Are the Tactical Opportunities and Risks for BRICS+ Companies in the Next 6–12 Months?

The upcoming windows are EPC, supplies, localization, and services around announced energy projects, logistics, and industrial sites; the main risks are personnel "bottlenecks" and currency settlements.

The demand map in "digital" is also becoming clearer: Kazan has joined the pool of "smart cities" of CIS and BRICS with growth potential; strengths include online interaction with the mayor's office, unified transport payment, high internet penetration (>93 per 100 people), and PC ownership (70–85%), while e-health is still limited (no online sick leaves, access to EMR only by doctors), as noted by “Tatar-Inform”.

Practical steps for business: - Energy (HPPs): tenders for modernization and construction, supply of turbines/GRAU, engineering, service, and local assembly. A local partner and early pre-project elaboration are critical. - Uzbekistan's Nuclear Cluster: supply chains for reactor and non-nuclear islands, construction and installation contracts, personnel training for HR development programs. - Small NPPs in Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan: pilot consortia, standardization, and financing under a PPP model; focus on modularity and local contractors. - Logistics: participation in design and supplies for the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway; transport IT infrastructure, warehouse automation along the corridor. - Industrial Park in Tajikistan: "anchor" production facilities with quick payback (construction materials, agro-processing, light industry, basic chemicals), management company services, leasing, development, and engineering. - Africa (Nigeria): entry through industry sessions of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, pilot projects in agriculture, healthcare, and education, relying on political support as a "driver" for agreements. - GovTech and e-health: solutions for electronic medical services, "one-stop shops," and urban mobility in cities with high digital penetration and clear functional gaps. - Risks and Compliance: settlements in national currencies increase FX volatility – hedging and multi-currency contracts; personnel shortages for energy sector – early recruitment and joint training programs; regulation – proven local partners and phased certification.

Conclusion: "CIS Plus" and the CIS–SCO–BRICS linkage are rapidly transforming from diplomatic slogans into a project matrix. Those who first secure "anchors" – production sites, consortia, and human resources – will achieve above-average returns in the coming years.