Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was established in 1991 to ensure continued cooperation in trade and military policy and recognition of borders between the States which formed part of the erstwhile USSR (except Baltic States). Russian Federation, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan are the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan fall in Asia and are commonly known as Central Asian Republics (CAR). Relations between India and countries of the CIS Region have remained close and cordial since the Soviet era. However, bilateral trade and commercial relations are still to achieve its true potential. CIS region constituted 1.04% share in India's total exports; 2.18% share in India's total imports and 1.36% in India’s total trade in the year 2008-09.

Recognizing the potential of CIS region, FICCI’s CIS DESK has been actively fostering India’s Economic and Commercial relation with these Countries though its sectoral and bilateral initiatives by way of organizing delegations, Exhibitions, reverse buyer seller meet, Meeting with Head of States, etc. The desk closely works in coordination with CIS Missions in New Delhi, Indian Mission in CIS Countries and various Ministries of Government of India. It provides a forum to the Indian Industry for developing their business, raising relevant issues hindering trade, providing inputs on policy change, etc. It has set up Joint Business Council Agreement/ MoU with various Apex Chamber of Commerce & Industry in CIS countries. JBC provides a regular and recognized forum at the Apex level for promotion of economic activities between businessmen and industrialists of two regions.

Potential Sectors for Collaboration between India and CIS countries are:

• Food Sector and Agribusiness: Processing, Agro Products, Machinery & equipment, packaging, fertilizers, Irrigation, etc
• Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare: Medicines, Formulations, medical devices, Hospitals, etc
• ICT: Telecom, Technology parks, e-governance, IT training, Business Processes, etc
• Textiles: Machinery, garments, etc
• Energy: Power Generation & Transmission, Oil Refining & Petro-Chemicals

The JBC Agreements/ MOU's signed in the region are given below:

Bilateral Trade Between India and CIS Countries