How Russia's Autumn BRICS+ Summits are Turning into Economic Opportunities for Business?

This autumn, Russia is hosting a dense cycle of international BRICS+ platforms. From November 12–13, Moscow will host the first BRICS wine summit as part of the IV Russian Winemaking Forum, as announced by Dmitry Kiselyov, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Grape Growers and Winemakers of Russia. On October 24, the Russian Digital Creative 2025 interdisciplinary summit will take place at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation Congress Center, serving as a unified communication platform for leaders of the technological and creative industries of BRICS+ countries, according to the organizers.

Concurrently, from October 15–17, Moscow is hosting Russian Energy Week, with participation from representatives of BRICS countries, as well as nations from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The participation of Afghanistan's Minister of Energy and Water Resources has been confirmed, as reported by EADaily. On October 31, Kazan will host an offsite session of the International Dubai Investment Forum BRICS, a continuation of the "BRICS House" network's efforts in economic integration and humanitarian ties, as clarified by a business platform.

How are Russian Regions Responding to BRICS+ Activity with Infrastructure and Services?

Regions are accelerating the launch of hotel facilities, modernizing urban environments, and targeting development programs towards BRICS/SCO markets.

In Kazan, on the banks of the Kazanka River, a large hotel complex Millennium Panorama Hotels (5* and 4*) with 374 rooms and MICE infrastructure is preparing for launch. The facility "complements the city's tourism infrastructure," noted Daria Sannikova, head of the city's tourism committee, as reported by "Evening Kazan."

Simultaneously, the city is carrying out seasonal maintenance of 33 fountains, including a cluster of 56 new floating fountains on Bulak, installed for the BRICS summit. The equipment is being treated as a unified system for maintenance, which reduces operational risks, according to Business Online.

Ekaterinburg is considering the "Ekaterinburg – A Capital City" program for 2026–2030 (949 million rubles), focusing on strengthening international ties, increasing inbound tourism to 2.5 million people annually, and expanding partnerships with CIS, BRICS, and SCO countries, as outlined in the city administration's materials.

For businesses, this translates to accelerated formation of a MICE cluster and service infrastructure to accommodate BRICS+ business delegations.

What are the Systemic Consequences of This Event Cycle for Russia's Foreign Economic Relations?

The main effect is the deepening of Russia's institutional connectivity with the expanded BRICS bloc and the Arab world against the backdrop of a multipolar restructuring of global institutions.

According to assessments by Arab and Russian commentators, consolidated by InoSMI (citing Al Mayadeen), the expansion of BRICS in 2024–2025 (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Indonesia), the work of the New Development Bank, and coordination within the OPEC+ format are strengthening economic and political ties. The first Russian-Arab summit in Moscow on October 15, with the participation of leaders from 22 League of Arab States countries, fits into this context.

"a new phase" of partnership

This formulation was used by President Vladimir Putin in connection with the Russian-Arab summit, marking a transition from ad-hoc projects to a sustainable architecture of interaction.

Collectively, BRICS+ events in Russia are acting as "synchronization nodes," connecting sectoral agendas (energy, creative industries, agriculture/winemaking, investments) with international financial and political frameworks.

Where are the Tactical Opportunities and Risks for Businesses in the Next 6–12 Months?

The primary opportunities lie in supplies, co-production, and MICE, while key risks involve the regulation of new markets and operational readiness.

There is a specific window of opportunity concerning India. In the near future, a business mission to India will be led by the Governor of the Irkutsk Region, with the goal of reaching $100 billion in bilateral trade turnover by 2030, as reported by IrkutskMedia, citing the Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation.

Practical vectors for companies:

• Wine and Agriculture: Cooperation in supplying raw materials, components, and equipment within BRICS, rebuilding supply chains, and wine tourism – this agenda was stated by the organizers of the Moscow wine summit, which reduces dependence on external bottlenecks.
• Creative Industries and Technology: Entering BRICS+ markets through joint media, animation, and IT projects; the Russian Digital Creative 2025 summit provides a platform for connecting teams and investors.
• Energy and Engineering: Dialogue at the Russian Energy Week and Afghanistan's interest in investing in water and energy projects create demand for feasibility studies, EPC contracts, equipment, and services. Progress there directly depends on clear policies, legal reforms, and security, requiring careful assessment of country risks.
• Hospitality and MICE: The launch of new hotel capacities in Kazan and "smart" urban space management for large events are expanding the market for hotel operators, catering, logistics, and event production.
• Cities as Customers: Programs like "Ekaterinburg – A Capital City" involve procurement in navigation, digital services, content promotion, and new tourism products, representing stable b2g demand with a multi-year horizon.
• Execution Risks: Regional authorities directly point to the limited diversification of the tourism product and the seasonality of the business agenda. Companies should plan for flexible occupancy models and a year-round event portfolio.

Conclusion: Russia is using the autumn BRICS+ cycle as a builder of sectoral "bridges" – from wine and creative industries to energy and investments. Companies that secure niches in supplies, co-production, and MICE now will gain an advantage. It is critical to pre-process the legal frameworks of new markets and ensure operational readiness for the surge in international traffic.