BRICS Expansion on the Horizon: What Do Applications and Regional Initiatives Mean for BRICS+ Business?

The catalyst was Minsk's stance: Belarus has declared full membership in BRICS as a long-term goal, while already operating as a partner and participating in the association's mechanisms, linking expansion with the bloc's readiness to accept new members, as reported by "Izvestia."

How are countries and regions already strengthening cooperation channels around BRICS?

They are moving towards substantive projects: Belarus and Myanmar are synchronizing their trade and economic agendas (agriculture, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education), visa facilitation, direct business contacts, and a roadmap for finance and banking. Minsk has also pledged to support Myanmar's integration with the EAEU, SCO, and BRICS, as detailed by "Belarus Today" and as clarified by the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Concurrently, Russian regions are "grounding" BRICS cooperation: Dagestan has signed a memorandum with the BRICS International Forum to promote the republic's products in the association's countries and develop business contacts and events, as reported by "Vestnik Kavkaza." The forum's president, Purnima Anand, confirmed the GO-BRICS club's agreement with Dagestan to integrate the region into projects, as she stated at a forum in Makhachkala.

What systemic shifts does this signal for the BRICS+ architecture?

A "bottom-up" polycentric integration is forming: partner countries and regional actors, through sectoral projects and integration mechanisms (EAEU—BRICS—SCO—ASEAN), are paving the way for expansion without waiting for a "grand political deal." This accelerates the institutionalization of BRICS as a platform for practical cooperation before status decisions are made.

This framework is reinforced by rhetoric about a post-hegemonic order: the old "closed clubs" are giving way to platforms where the majority of countries demand their interests be considered, as articulated by Vladimir Putin at Valdai.

Within Russia's internal sphere, BRICS infrastructure is already a factor in regional foreign economic strategy: the significance of Kazan as the host for the BRICS summit has given additional weight to Tatarstan and its connections, as noted by "Vechernyaya Kazan."

What tactical opportunities and risks are emerging for companies from BRICS+ right now?

The short answer is: in the near horizon, the greatest potential lies in specific sectoral niches (agromachinery, medical equipment, consumer cooperation, tourism, and logistics), as well as in promoting regional products to BRICS markets by leveraging network formats (forums, roadmaps, banking channels).

Confirmation at the level of deals and mandates is already available. Belarus and Myanmar have agreed on work regarding the procurement of Belarusian agricultural machinery and medical equipment, mutual trade (clothing, rubber products, rice, beans, seafood), as well as the development of direct flights and cooperation in the banking and financial sector, as reported in Minsk and confirmed by the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dagestan, through a memorandum with the BRICS International Forum, gains a channel for promoting products and business participation in consultations, conferences, and seminars, as documented; concurrently, the GO-BRICS club takes on the role of an integrator for regional projects, as stated by Purnima Anand.

Priority areas already identified by the parties: - Agriculture and agricultural machinery; pharmaceuticals and medical equipment; - Consumer goods and raw materials (clothing, rubber, rice, beans, seafood); - Tourism, visa liberalization, and possible direct flights; - Banking and financial services for settlements and financing; - Promotion of regional products, business, and educational events.

The takeaway for decision-makers: BRICS expansion is proceeding through "corridors of practice." If your niche aligns with the already identified directions, it makes sense to enter through partnership formats, regional memorandums, and sectoral committees – these are precisely what are transforming political statements into contracts today.