BRICS+ Autumn Marathon: What it Means for Exporters and Investors in the Coming Months

A series of events this week – from the launch of the Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou to BRICS+ grain exchange talks and major industry summits – is expanding sales channels, capital sources, and new formats for cross-regional deals for BRICS+ businesses. The 4th Digital Trade Expo, featuring Ozon and Wildberries, opened in Hangzhou with 1.7 thousand exhibitors occupying 155,000 square meters. China's cross-border e-commerce reached 1.3 trillion yuan in H1 2025, as reported by TASS. In parallel, Moscow is preparing to host the international Moscow Startup Summit on Oct. 1–2, a platform for pilots and deals between startups, corporations, and venture capital, as announced by the organizers.

At the institutional level, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev discussed the creation of a BRICS+ grain exchange and the prospects for an EAEU–India free trade agreement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as conveyed by the Russian government's press service.

What New Platforms and Sales Channels are the Upcoming BRICS+ Forums Opening?

The main effect is rapid access to cross-border sales channels and capital for tech teams. Hangzhou, home to Alibaba, handles about 40% of national cross-border settlements. The expo brings together e-commerce, AI, smart transport, digital health, and entertainment, and also publishes reports on global and Chinese digital trade, as published by TASS.

Moscow Startup Summit promises a showcase of pilots and investment proposals, featuring over 150 speakers and representatives from the ecosystems of Russia, BRICS countries, and SCO. Pitch sessions and the Startup Summit Awards (over 17,000 applications from 79 regions) are planned, as indicated by the organizers.

The municipal sector is also engaging: Gujarat's delegation will confirm its participation in the 7th BRICS International Municipal Forum in St. Petersburg starting Nov. 20, opening opportunities for interregional agreements, as reported by KVS SPb. In Dagestan, at the "Sustainable Development of Mountainous Territories" forum, the participation of BRICS Forum President Purnima Anand is expected, along with the signing of several agreements, including one with a region in Uzbekistan, as stated by the head of the regional government.

What businesses should do now:

• For e-commerce: Prepare SKU cards for Chinese marketplaces, localize content, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in China.
• For startups: Package pilots and term sheets for corporate clients, agree on NDAs and POC success criteria.
• For regions: Formulate a package of intermunicipal projects (logistics, housing and utilities, agrotechnology, tourism) with a clear financing model.

What Do the BRICS+ Grain Exchange Negotiations and New Trade Regimes Mean for Agromarkets?

This signals the institutionalization of flows – coordinating supplies and reducing transaction costs for food exporters and importers. The idea of a BRICS+ grain exchange and discussions on the EAEU–India Free Trade Agreement were central to the Patrushev-Modi talks, as conveyed by the Russian government's press service.

Concurrently, Iran is strengthening its "sanctions insurance" through participation in BRICS, SCO, and EAEU. The full-fledged Free Trade Agreement with the EAEU has been in effect since May 15, 2025, with sanctions expected to be reinstated after Sept. 27, as reported by Sputnik Armenia, and as confirmed by RIA Novosti.

"Although the return of any sanctions is unpleasant, it is not the end of the road, and we will not give up... We will find a way out of any situation… for example, through membership in organizations like the SCO, BRICS, and EAEU," stated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

For agro-exporters, this means expanding markets in Eurasia and the Global South, increasing the role of regional clearings, and more predictable access rules – provided logistics and currency settlements are worked out.

Where Are the Upcoming Tactical Deals and Risks Within the Next 3–6 Months?

Quick deals are likely in energy, e-commerce, and at the municipal level; key risks are sanctions-related and geopolitical. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed invited Vladimir Putin to Addis Ababa and, at the Global Atomic Energy Forum, declared his intention to expand cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy. Rosatom confirmed its readiness to meet the country's clean energy needs, as conveyed by the African Initiative IA, and as reported by the Smotrim TV channel.

"Almost a year has passed since our meeting in Kazan within the framework of the BRICS summit... I hope our next meeting will take place in Addis Ababa. It will be a historically significant event," said Abiy Ahmed.

Signals of political de-escalation are potential, but not a guarantee: Lula da Silva stated his intention to discuss the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump, relying on personal contacts, as reported by Tsargrad.

For business, this is a volatility factor: windows for deals may emerge, but decisions require stress scenarios.

Soft power acts as a "lubricant" for B2G/B2B: Moscow is hosting the 8th International Festival of Theatre Schools of BRICS, with participating troupes from Russia, India, China, Iran, the UAE, Indonesia, and South Africa, strengthening "human bridges" and facilitating regional interaction, as written by Argumenty i Fakty.

Practical steps for the next 3–6 months:

• Energy and Infrastructure (Africa): Prepare EPC/EPCM proposals and localization for clean generation and grid projects; work out financing models with export agencies.
• Agro: Secure supply contracts with options for index-based pricing (if the BRICS+ grain exchange project progresses) and backup routes.
• E-commerce in China: Pilot batches through cross-border warehouses, integrate payment solutions, and work with local KOLs for traffic.
• Municipal Projects: Form consortia for PPPs in housing and utilities, transport, and tourism for forums in St. Petersburg and Makhachkala; pre-agree on technical specifications with host parties.

Conclusion: BRICS+ is rapidly building "corridors of opportunity" – from trade and venture platforms to industry and municipal agreements. Those who first synchronize their products, finances, and logistics for these corridors will gain an advantage within the next quarter.