Vienna, Austria, 9 April 2026 – Representatives of BRICS countries gathered in Vienna to review progress and define next steps for the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC), a UNIDO-coordinated initiative supporting industrial cooperation, knowledge exchange and technology partnerships across emerging economies.
The meeting, hosted by the Permanent Mission of China to UNIDO, brought together Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to take stock of the platform’s first year of operations and discuss plans to scale up activities at national level.
Over the past year, BCIC has registered more than 200 manufacturing companies from across BRICS countries and facilitated direct engagement among firms. Through three dedicated matchmaking sessions, “BCIC Connects”, companies have presented their solutions, exchanged expertise and established new business contacts. More than 60 companies have actively engaged in direct exchanges, leading to the identification of over 140 business and technology opportunities across multiple industrial sectors.
“BRICS Plus represents one of the most significant platforms for economic cooperation among emerging and developing economies. When these countries act together on industrial development, the impact resonates well beyond their borders,” said UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller. “BCIC is a UNIDO-coordinated mechanism, designed to help manufacturing companies across and beyond BRICS become “Factories of the Future, a dynamic one-stop hub for companies to network, adopt sustainable practices and expand internationally.”
Since its launch in April 2025, BCIC has developed into a network-based platform connecting companies, institutions and experts across BRICS countries, with a focus on strengthening industrial competencies, fostering innovation and enabling cross-border collaboration.
The BRICS countries account for a significant share of the global economy, representing approximately 39 per cent of global GDP, 24 per cent of global trade and up to 40 per cent of global manufacturing value added. They also hold a substantial share of global natural resources, including around 72 per cent of rare earth reserves, underscoring their strategic importance in shaping the future of industrial development.
Against this backdrop, the digitalization of manufacturing, driven by artificial intelligence and advanced production technologies, continues to transform industrial systems worldwide. Platforms such as BCIC aim to support countries and enterprises in building the technological and innovation capacities needed to benefit from these shifts.
BCIC currently engages partner institutions from China, India and the Russian Federation, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange through its digital platform. The platform enables companies to identify potential partners, initiate contact and explore opportunities for joint business, research and technology cooperation.
The initiative aligns with the BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) and reflects UNIDO’s commitment to translating multilateral cooperation into practical, enterprise-level results that support inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
Looking ahead, UNIDO will continue to expand the BCIC network, deepen engagement with member institutions and support the development of industrial partnerships that generate tangible outcomes for small and medium-sized enterprises across participating countries.
Interested in learning more about BCIC?
Discover our activities and initiatives by visiting our website: https://bcic-brics.org/
For further information, please contact:
Aleksei Savrasov
Industrial Development Officer