Global trade surged 12.5% to $13.7 trillion in H1 2026, with services up 10.5%, UNCTAD reported. This growth largely reflects higher prices due to shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and fuel supply chain concerns, rather than increased trade volumes.
Japan is a major investor in India, with over $48 billion in FDI this century, ranking second only to the US. However, trade between the two nations is modest ($27.5 billion in FY25-26) compared to China, highlighting economic complementarity.
Trade volume between Russia and China surged by 19.7% year-on-year in January-April, reaching $85.2 billion, according to Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
EToro's Q1 net income rose 37% to $82 million, driven by a surge in commodities trading, despite a 32% year-over-year decline in crypto trade volumes. The company expanded its equities offering, activated crypto trading in New York, and closed the acquisition of self-custodial crypto wallet provider Zengo.
Transport and energy officials at a Baku forum warned that the Caspian-Central Asia corridor is reaching capacity limits despite existing infrastructure being in place. Rising trade volumes outpace expansion, while security concerns and supply chain vulnerabilities drive calls for diversification. The Middle Corridor gains attention as an alternative route, though environmental pressures on Caspian ports and financial constraints add complexity.
"Russian exports contribute to strengthening of food security of Oman through supplies of wheat and barley," Maxim Reshetnikov noted
Russia and Serbia aim to restore bilateral trade to $4.3 billion (2022 level) in coming years, Serbian Minister Nenad Popovic said after the 21st intergovernmental committee meeting in Belgrade. Trade fell to $2.3 billion in 2024 but showed slight increase to $420 million in first two months of 2025. Both countries signed an economic cooperation program through 2031 covering energy, transport, agriculture, space, and low-carbon development.
